legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
An effort to legalize online sports betting operated by tribes in Wisconsin is being challenged by the Sports Betting Alliance, which represents national companies such as Draft Kings, FanDuel and Bet 365.
—
Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
With this reasoning, the Court ruled against Scott and legalized slavery in the territories by overturning the Missouri Compromise.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
For instance, alcohol can legally be consumed in bars, where one often meets and even talks to other people; meanwhile many states that have legalized recreational marijuana prohibit its use where it is sold, forcing the purchaser to take an additional step in order to get high in company.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
While in office, Olson tried unsuccessfully to sell GOP leadership on the idea of legalizing medical marijuana.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
With this reasoning, the Court ruled against Scott and legalized slavery in the territories by overturning the Missouri Compromise.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
For instance, alcohol can legally be consumed in bars, where one often meets and even talks to other people; meanwhile many states that have legalized recreational marijuana prohibit its use where it is sold, forcing the purchaser to take an additional step in order to get high in company.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
While in office, Olson tried unsuccessfully to sell GOP leadership on the idea of legalizing medical marijuana.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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