as in legal
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as in sanctioned
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalized
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The practice has been legal in a handful of states and was legalized in New York since 2022.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Proposition 27, which would have legalized online sports betting, lost by an even wider margin of 83% to 17%.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Since the Supreme Court widely legalized sports wagering in 2018, the nation’s appetite for bets has flourished.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
The country legalized medical marijuana in 2018.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The hemp industry arose from the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized non-intoxicating hemp, but also allowed intoxicating derivative cannabinoids such as delta-8-, delta-9 and delta-10 THC.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
That same year, the NFL cut a three-year deal with the organization to partner on international games held in England, where online sports betting was formally legalized in 2005.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In Las Vegas, the cannabis consumption lounges are just beginning to pop up after being legalized.
—Lindsey Bartlett, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Even before sports gambling was legalized in parts of the country, the Super Bowl is one of the most prop-bet heavy events on the annual sporting calendar.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The practice has been legal in a handful of states and was legalized in New York since 2022.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Proposition 27, which would have legalized online sports betting, lost by an even wider margin of 83% to 17%.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Since the Supreme Court widely legalized sports wagering in 2018, the nation’s appetite for bets has flourished.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
The country legalized medical marijuana in 2018.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The hemp industry arose from the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized non-intoxicating hemp, but also allowed intoxicating derivative cannabinoids such as delta-8-, delta-9 and delta-10 THC.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
That same year, the NFL cut a three-year deal with the organization to partner on international games held in England, where online sports betting was formally legalized in 2005.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In Las Vegas, the cannabis consumption lounges are just beginning to pop up after being legalized.
—Lindsey Bartlett, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Adjective
-
For years, the idea of encouraging eligible legal immigrants to the US to become citizens — and full participants in the country’s democracy — enjoyed bipartisan support.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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Many legal cannabis ventures enrich hedge funds and politicians, and relatively few benefits accrue to the people who suffered jail time or worse when the drug was criminalized in every state.—
Ezra Marcus,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The walkout was not school-sanctioned but students spoke in advance with Principal Rob Coppo about their right to protest and with the San Diego Police Department.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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He was sanctioned by the European Union in 2019 in connection with the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, England with the nerve agent Novichok.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This new note asked for 1 Bitcoin, equivalent to about $70,000, and cites a legitimate Bitcoin address.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Commissioners appeared to agree that if this development is approved by the Village Board, data centers would not be permitted.—
Jennifer Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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However, they were permitted to carry their phones.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Accents, names, appearance or religious dress can become grounds for additional scrutiny — even when a driver holds a valid commercial license and lawful work authorization.—
Bhupinder Kaur,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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America must pursue firm, humane and lawful immigration reform.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Helion was the first company licensed to use radioactive tritium as a fusion source.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The association’s 20 clinical interns will travel between Orlando and Sanford to offer counseling sessions at both sites, under the supervision of a small team of social workers and licensed mental health counselors.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This allowed biologists to locate several dens and gain a better understanding of the foxes’ reproductive patterns.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Members of the final 18-person jury panel will be allowed to maintain their normal social media use throughout the trial.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Nearly 75% of Venezuelans surveyed said the Latin American nation is moving in the right direction, and even supporters of former President Nicolás Maduro overwhelmingly approved of recent changes.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Once approved and settled, three elderly neighbors from the lower floor will turn their lives upside down.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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