as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 legalize
Marijuana for recreational use by adults was legalized by the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, Proposition 64, which 57% of voters passed in 2016.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
Marijuana is only legal for medical use in South Dakota after voters rejected a ballot measure to legalize recreational use in 2024, according to the South Dakota Searchlight.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
In addition to South Carolina, four states have legalized firing squads as an execution method: Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
Idaho, which approved of firing squads in 2023, is set to make the firing squad the state's default method next year.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
In 2022, the Czech Republic announced its plan to legalize cannabis, following Germany’s example, which legalized recreational cannabis for personal use without sales in April 2024.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
Marijuana is only legal for medical use in South Dakota after voters rejected a ballot measure to legalize recreational use in 2024, according to the South Dakota Searchlight.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
In addition to South Carolina, four states have legalized firing squads as an execution method: Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
Idaho, which approved of firing squads in 2023, is set to make the firing squad the state's default method next year.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
In 2022, the Czech Republic announced its plan to legalize cannabis, following Germany’s example, which legalized recreational cannabis for personal use without sales in April 2024.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
-
No one else in the courtroom was permitted to see the graphic videos.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
There’s still a lot to learn about Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - how far will upgrades and progression permit you to diversify your playstyle?—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
In response to Iran's expanding missile program, the U.S. recently sanctioned multiple individuals and entities in both Iran and China involved in procuring missile propellant materials.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
In real life, Schmidt's exorcism was one of the last officially sanctioned by the Catholic Church, a fact that seems to have contributed to its infamy.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The Workforce Development Partnership will allow ED and DOL to better coordinate and deliver on workforce development programs and strengthen federal support for our nation's workforce, a top priority of the Trump Administration.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
Weissert walked a batter, then allowed a single before a big strikeout of Matt Thaiss.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
After that, the Forest Preserves will use funds voters approved through the November referendum, allowing the borrowing of up to $155 million for land acquisition and projects over the next decade.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
-
All told, the text unveiled by the Senate Finance Committee Republicans provides the most comprehensive look yet at changes the GOP senators want to make to the 1,000-page package approved by House Republicans last month.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
United States Supreme Court appointments from the previous Trump administration have resulted in decisions that enabled roughly half of US states to severely restrict or ban abortions.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
16 June 2025
-
By 2001, Marlena had been approved for a low-income housing voucher, enabling the sisters – and their mom – to move into a five-bedroom home.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Platforms like LiveRamp's Data Marketplace allow retailers to license their first-party audiences to programmatic buyers without building a complete DSP/SSP stack.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Trump has made more than $6 million from licensing his name and likeness to companies for products bearing his brand, according to disclosures released on Friday.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
The site accepts submissions of other pre-AI content sources through its Tumblr page.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
-
In May, multiple justices recused themselves from deciding whether to accept an appeal involving alleged plagiarism in books published by Penguin Random House.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share