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
In recent months, Israel has greatly expanded construction in Jewish settlements, legalized outposts and made significant bureaucratic changes to its policies in the territory to strengthen its hold and weaken the Palestinian Authority.
—
Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the bloom of illicit pot grows on private land has been demanding California’s attention, a growing problem since voters legalized cannabis in 2016.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Voters amended the state constitution in 2020 to legalize sports betting only in Deadwood and tribal casinos in South Dakota.
—Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 12 Feb. 2026
The association, which represents casinos, including Monarch Casino in Black Hawk, conducted the poll after learning that gambling companies were interested in legalizing internet gambling — known as iGaming — in Colorado, a state in which online sports betting is popular.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, the bloom of illicit pot grows on private land has been demanding California’s attention, a growing problem since voters legalized cannabis in 2016.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Voters amended the state constitution in 2020 to legalize sports betting only in Deadwood and tribal casinos in South Dakota.
—Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 12 Feb. 2026
The association, which represents casinos, including Monarch Casino in Black Hawk, conducted the poll after learning that gambling companies were interested in legalizing internet gambling — known as iGaming — in Colorado, a state in which online sports betting is popular.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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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