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
Carla Gennaro, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Three other states, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon, have legalized psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic use.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
And then in the subsequent years, 40 states have now legalized sports betting.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
That’s the same year Florida’s legal online sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet, launched, after Tallahassee legalized internet sports betting in 2021.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
In 2020, Oregon legalized psilocybin for supervised use in licensed settings, and Colorado did the same in 2022.
—Hollis Karoly, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Since Murphy, 39 states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have legalized sports betting.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 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
When my parents married in 1977, my mother legalized his status.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
In Colorado, calls for help to the gambling addiction hotline have jumped by nearly 50% in the first year after sports betting was legalized.
—Carla Gennaro, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Three other states, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon, have legalized psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic use.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
And then in the subsequent years, 40 states have now legalized sports betting.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
That’s the same year Florida’s legal online sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet, launched, after Tallahassee legalized internet sports betting in 2021.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
In 2020, Oregon legalized psilocybin for supervised use in licensed settings, and Colorado did the same in 2022.
—Hollis Karoly, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Since Murphy, 39 states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have legalized sports betting.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 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
When my parents married in 1977, my mother legalized his status.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The purchases totaled more than $14,000, and none of it was tied to legitimate business use.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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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
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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
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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
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He was charged with DUI with property damage, refusal to submit to a lawful urine test and careless driving.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Is this model really halal, or lawful, though?—
Zoe Ligairi,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 14 Apr. 2026.
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