as in legal
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in sanctioned
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
Related Words
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 legalized
Caroline Cummings, CBS 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
In states that allowed online betting, the study reported a 10% increase in the likelihood of bankruptcy and an 8% increase in debt collection amounts — outcomes that tended to appear about two years after the practice was legalized.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
When my parents married in 1977, my mother legalized his status.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Now, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, according to the National Council of State Legislatures.
—Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
In many areas where the units were legalized, aldermen added caveats.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Oceanside legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and since then has gradually expanded its licensing program.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
The definition stems from the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide.
—Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Coming out of the pandemic, Jason Dayton, cofounder of Minneapolis Cider Company, got into the hemp THC business after a 2022 state law explicitly legalized the products with certain regulations.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS 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
In states that allowed online betting, the study reported a 10% increase in the likelihood of bankruptcy and an 8% increase in debt collection amounts — outcomes that tended to appear about two years after the practice was legalized.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
When my parents married in 1977, my mother legalized his status.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Now, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, according to the National Council of State Legislatures.
—Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
In many areas where the units were legalized, aldermen added caveats.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Oceanside legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and since then has gradually expanded its licensing program.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
The definition stems from the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide.
—Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Adjective
-
It was sent by a Southern California attorney who has represented Citizens for Positive Growth & Preservation in legal disputes with Sacramento for over a decade.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
For decades, the understanding was that social-media companies were essentially immune from any such legal liability.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And Mark Zukerberg reportedly acquired a 387-foot Feadship called Launchpad, which was originally commissioned by a Russian billionaire before he was sanctioned.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Multiple countries have sanctioned the university for its work with the military, particularly on Iran's ballistic missile program.—
Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette stafffrom wire reports,
Arkansas Online,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The purchases totaled more than $14,000, and none of it was tied to legitimate business use.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Eastern New Mexico residents harbor legitimate grievances about feeling estranged from their state government and the Democratic leadership in Santa Fe, suggesting the underlying regional sentiment reflects authentic frustration with political representation rather than mere partisan gamesmanship.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dowman, just like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri before him, is not permitted to get changed in the same dressing room as the Arsenal first-team due to safeguarding rules.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Grace Broeder, architect on the project, said the project has been permitted, but a construction date hasn’t been set.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The golf pro was arrested and charged with a DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test by the local sheriff's department.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The 82-time PGA Tour winner is charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test — both misdemeanors.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chee, a Bay Area optician, has been licensed to work with fireworks in California since 2008, but was ineligible from obtaining a federal explosives permit for his business due to a prior violent felony conviction.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The staff who made up their team are licensed to do individual and group therapy, crisis response and connect high-needs students to services outside the district.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Epstein also claimed that the prince had asked that he be allowed to see details of legal structures, organization charts, goals and initiatives of the Saudi central bank, the royal purse and the country’s sovereign wealth fund, his emails to Al-Sabbagh’s aide show.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In the 88th minute, Neuer fumbled a routine shot and allowed Joselu to equalise.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Polish Remover Wipes are TSA-approved and great for travel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The stadium plan would still seek state financial support from a sweeping funding package Missouri lawmakers approved last summer in an attempt to keep the team inside its lines.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
