legalize

verb

Definition of legalizenext
as in to permit
to make (something) legal They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.

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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 Its Supreme Court has rejected draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews and overturned a law legalizing settler homes built on private Palestinian land. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Congress legalized home brewing in 1978 Occasional efforts in recent years to change the law failed to gain traction. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 The money went to Hope Florida, a charity championed by the governor’s wife, and ended up in political committees that opposed the 2024 referendum that would have legalized adult use of marijuana in Florida. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2026 The $10 million was instead moved to political action committees that used the money to oppose a 2024 statewide ballot measure that would have legalized marijuana for adults in the state. — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
  1. permit
  2. sanction
  3. allow
  4. approve
  5. enable
  6. license
Verb
  • The invention of steel permitted the rise of skyscrapers, the automobile inspired highway systems and the internet gave rise to a whole new set of digital spaces.
    — George C. Lee II, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The other 29 states and the District of Columbia explicitly permit drop boxes by law.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of permit
Verb
  • In addition to enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, this week, the administration threatened to severely sanction any country that does business with Iran.
    — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Fiscus declined to answer if the team sanctioned the workout.
    — Katie Strang, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanction
Verb
  • This comprises five customizable ride modes for the 805 RX, plus reverse, allowing riders to adjust characteristics including power delivery, traction control and regenerative braking.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Memory may be the hardware component that AI chips need to thrive, but cybersecurity is what allows an organization to adopt and deploy this technology securely.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of allow
Verb
  • In his dissent on the ballroom construction, Roberts wrote that the project – which has not been approved by Congress – probably infringes on lawmakers’ ability to control federal spending and to regulate federal property.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Those changes were made when the Senate approved its version of the bill.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of approve
Verb
  • The approach appears to be adding a midfielder who can cover larger spaces in the middle of the pitch, enabling the team to be more proactive and aggressive in their press.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The advanced safety detector, which screens incoming messages for policy violations, must be manually enabled by users.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of enable
Verb
  • As new investors look to buy or license those assets, the fund will reinvest any returns into its other programs.
    — Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • She and her husband have been licensed foster parents in the Commonwealth of Virginia for almost two years, according to People.
    — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of license

Browse Nearby Words

legalizations
legalize
legalized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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