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
The Knesset recently legalized the death penalty for Arabs who murder Jews, but not for the hoodlum Israeli settlers who have been killing West Bank residents to seize their land.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
It’s been nearly a decade since California voters legalized recreational cannabis, but production and sales remain outlawed in most of the state — and the black market dominates.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The outposts are built without the permission of Israeli authorities, who sometimes dismantle them but other times turn a blind eye or even legalize them retroactively.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Roman Emperor Constantine legalized the religion in 313.
—Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
It’s been nearly a decade since California voters legalized recreational cannabis, but production and sales remain outlawed in most of the state — and the black market dominates.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The outposts are built without the permission of Israeli authorities, who sometimes dismantle them but other times turn a blind eye or even legalize them retroactively.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Roman Emperor Constantine legalized the religion in 313.
—Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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