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
There are also fewer legal resources to help deported migrants legalize their status compared to other parts of Mexico.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
But a 2022 study by Spectrum Gaming of other states that have legalized iLottery, such as Michigan in Pennsylvania, concluded that retail sales grew roughly in parallel to iLottery sales.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
The domestic opportunities with media rights deals — the largest source of income for major professional sports associations — and legalized sports betting were then compelling enough to keep leagues focused at home.
—Adam Minter, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
But a 2022 study by Spectrum Gaming of other states that have legalized iLottery, such as Michigan in Pennsylvania, concluded that retail sales grew roughly in parallel to iLottery sales.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
The domestic opportunities with media rights deals — the largest source of income for major professional sports associations — and legalized sports betting were then compelling enough to keep leagues focused at home.
—Adam Minter, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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As argued in his book Abundance, Ezra Klein explains how America's growth has been hindered by well-meaning regulations, permitting requirements, and veto points that have blocked affordable housing, infrastructure, and clean energy development.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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If venue personnel deem any person to be a threat, or otherwise unfit, in their sole discretion, he or she will not be permitted access and shall forfeit the prize.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those choices included censuring and sanctioning me, a military veteran commissioned through CU Boulder, the only Black Regent, and the first Black woman to serve on the board in 43 years.—
Wanda James,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
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The band was the first to sanction fan taping at their concerts, spawning an abundance of homespun recordings that have been collected, traded and debated for decades.—
Erin Osmon,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These platforms display prices and coverages side by side, allowing drivers to spot differences that may not be clear at first glance.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the letter, Supervisor Gardea says the county approved the Parks and Zoo funds in the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year-End Report, which should have resulted in prompt and visible progress.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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City leaders approved a $27 million settlement in 2021 to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Floyd's family.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Fewer parts and smaller boosters could reduce costs and enable large-scale production.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
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She’s particularly drawn to bags like this for the trolley sleeve, which securely attaches to a suitcase and enables hands-free travel.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The decision, last year, to license new digital advertising boards to be placed on city sidewalks is an example of its misguided, short-term thinking.—
Mark Lamster
Architecture Critic,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Starlink, which is not officially licensed in Iran, uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to provide internet.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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