as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalize
In states like California, which was the first to legalize medical use 29 years ago, along with Colorado and Washington, which both legalized recreational adult use in 2012, cannabis culture is ubiquitous.
—
Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Then, in 2018, when a landmark Supreme Court decision allowed other states to legalize bookmaking, the scope of sports gambling grew exponentially.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Christie wanted to legalize sports betting in New Jersey—particularly in Atlantic City—but the Garden State wasn’t among the four states exempted by PASPA.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The role of gambling in the NBA Rozier’s case is not the first one of an NBA player’s being accused of consorting with gamblers since a landmark 2018 Supreme Court ruling opened the floodgates to legalized sports wagering.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Then, in 2018, when a landmark Supreme Court decision allowed other states to legalize bookmaking, the scope of sports gambling grew exponentially.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Christie wanted to legalize sports betting in New Jersey—particularly in Atlantic City—but the Garden State wasn’t among the four states exempted by PASPA.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The role of gambling in the NBA Rozier’s case is not the first one of an NBA player’s being accused of consorting with gamblers since a landmark 2018 Supreme Court ruling opened the floodgates to legalized sports wagering.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 27 Oct. 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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Suharto blamed the coup on communists, ousted then-President Sukarno – the country’s first post-independence leader – and sanctioned a hunt for those responsible.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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But some agricultural organizations that represent them have stressed their businesses will be hurt too if the US sanctions South Africa.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
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 15 Nov. 2025.
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