as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalize
For five years, from fourth through eighth grade, Block was a victim of a 1987 Texas court ruling that legalized home schooling.
—
Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
Abe newly interpreted Article 9 as legalizing collective defense.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
More than three dozen states have legalized marijuana use in some form or another.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 27 Dec. 2025
While the reclassification is intended to bolster medical marijuana research and won’t legalize cannabis at the federal level, the move comes at a time when use in the United States is at a high.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
Abe newly interpreted Article 9 as legalizing collective defense.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
More than three dozen states have legalized marijuana use in some form or another.
—Addy Bink, The Hill, 27 Dec. 2025
While the reclassification is intended to bolster medical marijuana research and won’t legalize cannabis at the federal level, the move comes at a time when use in the United States is at a high.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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My late father tried to maintain that routine to renew our Egyptian residency permits annually out of fear Israel would expel us from our home again one day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Temporary residence permits allow foreigners to live and work in Germany, as well as receive government benefits, but mean their ability to remain there is uncertain.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The United States is attempting to maintain an oil embargo in Venezuela and has sanctioned the country’s oil industry.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Marinera was a ship previously flagged out of Panama and was sanctioned for its prior involvement in Iranian oil trading by the Treasury Department in 2024 under former President Joe Biden, according to the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.—
January 5,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Bills' run-heavy offense -- which has piled up a league-high 1,292 yards in just eight games -- should dominate this one and allow Buffalo to not only win, but cover the substantial spread.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Indeed, Spain’s real estate landscape as a whole is evolving, especially with the end of the country’s golden visa program, which for years allowed foreigners to gain residency by investing in property.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Fort Worth City Council unanimously approved a memorial marker agreement that will allow the Texas Department of Transportation to place signs honoring Nava along the section of Loop 820 between Interstate 35W and Marine Creek Parkway.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Nov. 2025
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According to the terms of the agreement approved by county commissioners, the Record will receive $300,000 and Meyer will receive $200,000.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement On the Democratic side, Virginia’s legislature has begun the complicated process of working to amend the state constitution to enable redistricting.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, the department licenses and regulates insurance companies operating in Arkansas, administers the state government's workers' compensation program, provides Medicare counseling to senior citizens, and investigates consumer complaints and insurance fraud.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
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Rushdie has licensed lesser writers to be sentimental about their own powers of invention.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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