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legalize

verb

le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz How to pronounce legalize (audio)
legalized; legalizing
Synonyms of legalizenext

transitive verb

: to make legal
especially : to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization noun
legalizer noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Efforts to legalize medicinal marijuana in Wisconsin have repeatedly failed. Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025 In another experiment, voters in Massachusetts were exposed to chatbot discussions regarding a ballot measure to legalize psychedelic drugs. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025 The ruling from the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District found that the question Hoskins, a Republican, wrote failed to accurately inform voters that the measure would strike down last November’s historic vote that legalized access to the procedure. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025 But interestingly, the largest shift in opinion occurred in the case of 500 people talking to bots about a statewide ballot to legalize psychedelics in Massachusetts. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for legalize

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legalize was circa 1652

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

legalize

verb
le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz How to pronounce legalize (audio)
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
legalization noun

Legal Definition

legalize

transitive verb
le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz How to pronounce legalize (audio)
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially : to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization noun
legalizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on legalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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