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
Florida is one of 40 states that have legalized sports gambling, as well as one of the many that offer it via smartphone apps.
—
Ashley Borja, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
The legislators also believe their bill is necessary to prevent people from becoming addicted to gambling, a problem that has grown since Colorado legalized sports betting in 2020.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Long before the Supreme Court paved the way for states to legalize sports gambling in 2018, Nevada stood as the nation’s lone legal purveyor of sports betting.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
After Congress legalized hemp in 2018, Wisconsin never passed state laws regulating the avalanche of products that quickly proliferated in gas stations and smoke shops.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Ashley Borja, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
The legislators also believe their bill is necessary to prevent people from becoming addicted to gambling, a problem that has grown since Colorado legalized sports betting in 2020.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Long before the Supreme Court paved the way for states to legalize sports gambling in 2018, Nevada stood as the nation’s lone legal purveyor of sports betting.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
After Congress legalized hemp in 2018, Wisconsin never passed state laws regulating the avalanche of products that quickly proliferated in gas stations and smoke shops.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 19 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 25 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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