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
Kentucky legalized medical marijuana in 2025, with the first dispensaries expected to open in the fall.
—
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Aug. 2025
Nearly half have legalized it for recreational use among adults.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025
The two similar ballot proposal were filed by Caroline Cunningham, who campaigned against a proposal to legalize psychedelics in Massachusetts, according to a report from online cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The state legalized the drug recreationally via a 2012 state constitutional amendment, becoming the second state to do so at the time.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Aug. 2025
Nearly half have legalized it for recreational use among adults.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025
The two similar ballot proposal were filed by Caroline Cunningham, who campaigned against a proposal to legalize psychedelics in Massachusetts, according to a report from online cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The state legalized the drug recreationally via a 2012 state constitutional amendment, becoming the second state to do so at the time.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 11 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 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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