as in legal
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as in sanctioned
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalized
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Oceanside legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and since then has gradually expanded its licensing program.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
The definition stems from the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide.
—Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
One respondent, Roger Sheffield, participated in a retreat in Colorado in early 2024, after psilocybin was legalized but before the state’s current regulatory structure was in place.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
For years, the industry has proliferated across the country after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
More than 30 states have legalized mobile sports betting since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban in 2018, resulting in more than half a trillion dollars in wagers, according to the New York Fed.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Action 247 had been founded a year earlier, the day after lawmakers legalized sports betting, hoping to be one of the first companies to enter the new business.
—ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Gambling was legalized there in 1931, and the rest is history as the city became known as a glittering hub for risqué shows and gambling of all sorts.
—Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
The New York Fed studied the impact online sports betting could have on Americans' financial health — particularly delinquency rates — by comparing betting activity and consumer credit outcomes in states that legalized it with those that have not.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Oceanside legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and since then has gradually expanded its licensing program.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
The definition stems from the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide.
—Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
One respondent, Roger Sheffield, participated in a retreat in Colorado in early 2024, after psilocybin was legalized but before the state’s current regulatory structure was in place.
—Natalia V. Osipova, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
For years, the industry has proliferated across the country after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
More than 30 states have legalized mobile sports betting since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban in 2018, resulting in more than half a trillion dollars in wagers, according to the New York Fed.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Action 247 had been founded a year earlier, the day after lawmakers legalized sports betting, hoping to be one of the first companies to enter the new business.
—ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Gambling was legalized there in 1931, and the rest is history as the city became known as a glittering hub for risqué shows and gambling of all sorts.
—Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Adjective
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Part of what contributes to the slim odds is the fact that Morris is seeking to move the process forward using Christian arbitration, while Gateway wants to use a standard legal approach, Morris’ attorney Bill Mateja told the Star-Telegram last July.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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Having legal documents on hand, at a lawyer’s office or in a file cabinet not only provides peace of mind, but can prevent conflict and legal fees when tragedy or challenges arise.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But in January, the state Supreme Court ordered the 3rd District Court of Appeals to take another look at the case, and to demand that the Nevada County district attorney’s office explain, on the record, why it shouldn’t be sanctioned.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The 2019 law carries the possibility of fines and license suspension, but no one has been sanctioned under it.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Voting-rights advocates warned those two provisions — among a long list of changes in state election law — could prevent thousands of citizens who are legitimate Florida voters from casting ballots.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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If the debt is legitimate and the amount is correct, responding to the lawsuit also opens the door for settlement negotiations.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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France and Spain have reportedly denied permission for US warplanes to use their airspace, Italy has blocked access to a base, and Britain has permitted use of its facilities only for defensive purposes.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the LAPD had urged participants to keep the demonstrations peaceful and lawful.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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And, so, he's been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bill Kenwright Ltd, the company of the late UK theatre stalwart, has licensed the rights after chasing the IP for more than a year.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
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Authorities later found a number of guns at Reilly's home that he was not licensed to own, according to prosecutors.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Perry's representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the workers were eventually allowed to hold onto the gift cards after confusion was cleared up.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Birdville downs rival Richland Matthew Moore allowed 1 earned run while scattering 2 hits across 5 innings to lead North Richland Hills Birdville past North Richland Hills Richland 3-2 in a District 6-5A showdown on Tuesday night at Richland High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Owens made the case that under the stadium incentive package approved by lawmakers in 2024 and the tentative STAR bond agreement negotiated by Toland on behalf of the state, rejecting the sports authority bill would only give the executive branch more control over the project.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The deal must still be approved by a judge.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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