as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Since Murphy, 39 states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have legalized sports betting.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Now the state is reckoning with what some leaders and officials say is an unprecedented confluence of forces to legalize gambling in Texas.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
In September, hemp businesses collected signatures to repeal the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana and replace it with regulations that are no more burdensome than regulations for alcohol and tobacco.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
Instead, these public dollars went to a DeSantis political fund aimed at subverting ballot measures to legalize private use of marijuana and constitutionalize women’s ability to access reproductive health care.
—Howard L. Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Now the state is reckoning with what some leaders and officials say is an unprecedented confluence of forces to legalize gambling in Texas.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
In September, hemp businesses collected signatures to repeal the constitutional amendment that legalized recreational marijuana and replace it with regulations that are no more burdensome than regulations for alcohol and tobacco.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
Instead, these public dollars went to a DeSantis political fund aimed at subverting ballot measures to legalize private use of marijuana and constitutionalize women’s ability to access reproductive health care.
—Howard L. Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
-
The bill, which has passed the state Assembly, will permit the government to discriminate in all aspects of K-12 education and some aspects of colleges and universities, except for admissions and enrollment.—
Alison Somin,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Any additional charges must be authorized by your original contract or permitted under applicable law.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Professor Gary Fields said that the two professors were not the only ones whose protests have been sanctioned by the university in recent years.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Tatakov and Nikolaev are listed as participants via the Intrada Ensemble; the ensemble’s seven other members are not sanctioned.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the end, the college was allowed to keep the money.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Connor Ingram made 11 saves, allowing only Ty Mueller's first career goal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If approved, the plan is to turn the land into a mix of housing and retail space, with a proposal that includes a hotel, a food hall and a two-acre park.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
State officials have approved a private initiative to transport the whale back to the North Sea and possibly further to the Atlantic.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, in February, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued new clinical guidelines enabling earlier diagnosis of endometriosis without surgery, a step toward addressing the delays Waters described.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike conventional industrial automation, the system requires no custom tooling and supports mixed-model production, enabling faster changeovers and significantly reducing downtime.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Colorado is one of only 11 states that doesn't license providers of ABA therapy.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Pash said the state licensing process and other aspects of opening the business were not terribly difficult, but since growers were licensed the same day as adult-use dispensaries, the supply side has been struggling to keep up with demand.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
