LEGALIZATION Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

legalization

noun

Definition of legalization

as in validation

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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.

Recent Examples of legalization The conservative groups trying to end the ban say getting rid of it could spark the same kind of innovation and revitalization for hard liquor that legalization of homebrewing in the 1970s did for beer. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Eight months after legalization, there is still not a single active VGT machine in Chicago, even though 311 establishments have applied for and 42 have received state licenses. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Proponents who are pushing for online casinos in Maryland promise boundless tax revenue with minimal downsides, selectively ignoring who disproportionately pays the price of legalization. — Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 Poly Humboldt Cannabis Studies explores the historical, geographical, cultural, economic and political contexts of cannabis legalization. — Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Loyalty Becomes The Next Growth Engine BetMGM’s expansion from $30 million to nearly $3 billion was fueled by legalization, geographic growth and rising consumer adoption. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Two states, Massachusetts and Idaho, will vote on ballot initiatives regarding legalization, and in several others, including Kansas and Iowa, gubernatorial candidates are debating cannabis matters. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 The agreements Weber and the Devils landed in the aftermath of New Jersey’s legalization of sports betting became a model for clubs in other jurisdictions. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Amenábar’s film became a key force driving the legalization of assisted dying in Spain, and perhaps Almodóvar has just achieved something similar in New York. — Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalization

Noun

The new facility also expands the company’s engineering workspace and provides equipment for research, testing, and validation.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
In its July announcement, Optimal Transit said Series A funding would fund ABS-ready engineering drawings and comprehensive digital-twin validation of DOT.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of validation

Noun

In this way, modern Druidry represents an example of how practitioners of new religious movements look to the distant past as a source for meaning, inspiration, and legitimation.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
In August 2025, attorneys filed an emergency petition for legitimation and custody in DeKalb County Superior Court.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

Definition of legitimation

Noun

State governments also sit in Germany’s upper house of parliament, which has to approve some government legislation.

— Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
That’s threatening a bipartisan effort in the Senate to advance legislation to strengthen cryptocurrency regulation as soon as next week.

— Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of legislation

Noun

However, farmers often cannot realize the potentially higher prices organic produce can fetch because of a lack of marketing opportunities and formalization.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
Useful formalization by design This is not AxiomProver’s first rodeo.

— Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of formalization

Noun

Ultimately, Engelbert oversaw the ratification of a historic CBA, leading to player salaries that surpassed $1 million for the first time, and a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model that ties players’ salaries to revenue in a meaningful way.

— Annie Costabile, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The few remaining workers maintaining the plant, however, received those benefits upon ratification.

— Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ratification

Noun

For a while, these institutions appeared capable of operating without their founding cause, but that hope proved illusory.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
The newsroom’s previous home base is a historic 1935 Art Deco landmark located in downtown Los Angeles, the neighborhood where The Times operated for 137 years since its founding in 1881.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of founding

Noun

When the total of demerits exceeds 30, the food establishment fails.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
Datassential found that 99% more coffee establishments sold Apple Pie flavors and 49% more sold Caramel Apple compared to a year ago — in contrast, only 37% more establishments sold pumpkin spice lattes.

— Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of establishment

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“Legalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalization. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalization

noun

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