as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of legalize
Immigration attorneys say there are fewer and fewer pathways for people married to U.S. citizens to legalize their status.
—
Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Those products are technically legal at the federal level, though when Maryland legalized recreational cannabis on July 1, 2023, state lawmakers attempted to shut down the unregulated industry by requiring stores that sell such products to be licensed.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025
Getty Images Steele's bill would allow Pennsylvania's Game Commission to legalize hunting on Sundays of its choosing, while outlining new regulations related to hunting, such as trespassing penalties.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Lawmakers in Hawaii are shifting focus to refining the state’s medical cannabis system, after efforts to legalize adult-use stalled.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Those products are technically legal at the federal level, though when Maryland legalized recreational cannabis on July 1, 2023, state lawmakers attempted to shut down the unregulated industry by requiring stores that sell such products to be licensed.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025
Getty Images Steele's bill would allow Pennsylvania's Game Commission to legalize hunting on Sundays of its choosing, while outlining new regulations related to hunting, such as trespassing penalties.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Lawmakers in Hawaii are shifting focus to refining the state’s medical cannabis system, after efforts to legalize adult-use stalled.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2025
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Cooper noted that only personal items like a purse or brief briefcase are permitted, so don’t bring rolling bags, luggage and other unapproved items.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Similarly, Western governments can do more to zero in on Russia’s defense industry by sanctioning more Russian firms that manufacture essential defense equipment such as drones, missiles, and armored vehicles.—
Michael Carpenter,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2025
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The final reason her time won’t be ratified is that her attempt did not occur during an actual race or a World Athletics sanctioned track meet.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Ushering in nothing short of a police state intent on ethnic cleansing, Trump’s proposed 2026 budget authorizes funding for detention complexes greater than the budget for the federal prison system and detention complex capacity that will allow the government to detain at least 116,000 at once.—
Bob Kustra,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
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Trump has announced a deal with Vietnam that would allow U.S. goods to enter the country duty-free, while Vietnamese exports to the U.S. would face a 20% levy.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Two more property insurers have been approved to serve Florida’s beleaguered homeowner market, the state Office of Insurance Regulation announced.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2025
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In 2023, the PSC approved a $400 million rate increase for BGE delivery rates despite opposition from consumer advocates and the Baltimore City Council.—
Emily Scarr,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2025
Verb
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This includes mini-rovers, crewed lunar rovers, and all kinds of instrumentation that will enable lunar exploration, development, and in-situ resource development.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
28 June 2025
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Fresh droppings often contain viral RNA, enabling researchers to recover full genomes and assess the pathogenic potential of circulating strains.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
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The motor safety advocate who helped craft the bill hopes down the road Florida will demand behind-the-wheel classes before young drivers are licensed.—
Zoey Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2025
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President Trump reported income of more than $630 million last year, including $57 million from cryptocurrency sales and more than $8 million licensing his name for products like watches, guitars and Bibles.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Both are accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Glendale Health Center, 1101 Glendale Blvd., Suite 101, in Valparaiso.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
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This includes actions such as cyberattacks, use of drones or sabotage tools, and accepting funds from foreign intelligence, even without taking action.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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