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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 The company has maintained their decision to hat work on the non-gambling parts of the site is in protest of the city's decision to legalize video gambling terminals in bars, restaurants and convenience stores. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 According to Thomas, another challenge in the analysis was Connecticut’s location and its proximity to states like Massachusetts, where cannabis was legalized for recreational purposes a decade ago. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026 This has been a running thing for a few years now, ever since weed was legalized in New York City. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The new legal framework, published in the Official Gazette, is the deepest overhaul of the island’s private sector since small and medium enterprises were legalized in 2021. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 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 analyst added that similar uranium mine projects are not fully permitted, giving NexGen an edge over competitors and making its stock especially appealing to investors.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The terms of an authorization typically identify the provider or entity permitted to disclose information, which records are included, the date range, the recipient, and the expiration and revocation language.
    — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of permit
Verb
  • Bluster and bravado are big parts of the playbook for North Korea, an isolated and oft-sanctioned autocracy that the Kim family has ruled since 1948.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Although Iran’s leading pharmaceutical firms are not themselves under sanctions, several of the largest are connected to sanctioned charitable conglomerates or to sanctioned individuals.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of sanction
Verb
  • Also, its rolling olive oil cart, replete with its own menu describing the oils’ characteristics and origins, allows passengers to sample many.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • First cell lines enter trial operations Trial production will allow CATL to set up, optimize, and validate the equipment and manufacturing processes before series production begins.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of allow
Verb
  • The City of Doral approved the agreement last year and signed it in January.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Over nine months after filing for Chapter 11, Fort Worth home builder Village homes emerged from bankruptcy after a federal court approved its reorganization plan.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of approve
Verb
  • The technology enabled compression; the growth came from expansion.
    — Sumeet Salwan, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In 1953, things came to a head when she was sent home from India while filming Elephant Walk with her hard-drinking, enabling lover Peter Finch.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of enable
Verb
  • However, OpenAI does have licensing deals with other news publishers.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026
  • My Guard, which has been licensed for release in 83 countries including to Asian streamer Viu.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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