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 With the legalization of sports betting across multiple states over the past few years, daily fantasy hasn’t been at the forefront quite as much. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Founder Dave Hodges opened a medical-marijuana dispensary in California in 2009, before legalization. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Months before the Ceuta crisis, his government had carried out a migrant legalization push. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The letter asks for broader protections from the other 35 states and the District of Columbia, which do not have similar laws or protections in place since the Supreme Court paved the way for gambling legalization in 2018. — Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 The letter asks for broader protections from the other 35 states and District of Columbia, which do not have similar laws or protections in place since the Supreme Court paved the way for gambling legalization in 2018. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 Athletes across sports have increasingly spoken out about harassment and threats received by bettors who lost money, as sports betting has surged since the Supreme Court paved the way for widespread legalization in 2018. — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 As legalization makes more edibles and other cannabis products available, young children are more likely to find and consume them in their own homes. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 The experts agree that nothing in the data should cause state officials to hit the panic button on the legalization of recreational marijuana. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalization

Noun

The first is clinical validation moving downstream into consumer channels.

— Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Thought leadership, third-party validation and documented outcomes all travel into that meeting and argue on your behalf.

— Laiba Tariq, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of validation

Noun

Acknowledging that most civil law now permits legitimization after the fact, some jurisdictions still discriminate against a child born out of wedlock.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
Live Aid was the final step in the legitimization of MTV.

— tom freston, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025

Definition of legitimization

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

The Senate is expected to vote on legislation this week meant to protect consumers from high electricity costs caused in part by the data center building boom.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
The legislation would establish a federal framework for NIL payments, cap the amount universities can give directly to athletes, create rules for transfers, and establish other regulations governing college sports.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of legislation

Noun

The private office should name that plainly than suggest formalization is costless.

— Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of formalization

Noun

Supported by both major political parties, and Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter, the Equal Rights Amendment was sent to the states for ratification.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
George Washington sent the Bill of Rights to the states for ratification.

— USA Today, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of ratification

Noun

Restaurants and other food-service establishments should check their freezers and make sure the product is not served to customers, the USDA said.

— Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
The types of establishment vary widely, ranging from a tonkatsu pork cutlet restaurant in Hokkaido to cafes and soba shops in Kyoto's touristy areas, and a steakhouse on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture.

— Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of establishment

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“Legalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalization. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalization

noun

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