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
Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Punishment for operating a poker club illegally Poker clubs have not been legalized by a constitutional amendment or statewide referendum but are generally allowed, according to Zack Fertitta, who helped represent Prime Social in getting its case dismissed.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
States that have legalized online wagering did so with frameworks in place to protect consumers, set age restrictions, and generate new tax income for community projects.
—Mick Mulvaney, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Then, in 2016, voters passed Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana for adults and created a regulated market for cultivation, manufacturing and retail sales.
—Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The project is part of former mayor Eric Adams’s City of Yes, which legalized ancillary dwelling units.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 18 Mar. 2026
The measure marks a retaliatory response from Republican lawmakers, who placed the amendment on the ballot after the 2024 vote that legalized access.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
In Oregon, where psilocybin therapy was legalized in 2023, a third of new clinics have already closed owing to high operating expenses and treatment costs.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The leagues, initially so opposed to legalized sports betting, embraced it to help reverse sliding TV ratings and lure back the younger fans who were drifting away.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Gambling was legalized there in 1931, and the rest is history as the city became known as a glittering hub for risqué shows and gambling of all sorts.
—Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Punishment for operating a poker club illegally Poker clubs have not been legalized by a constitutional amendment or statewide referendum but are generally allowed, according to Zack Fertitta, who helped represent Prime Social in getting its case dismissed.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
States that have legalized online wagering did so with frameworks in place to protect consumers, set age restrictions, and generate new tax income for community projects.
—Mick Mulvaney, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Then, in 2016, voters passed Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana for adults and created a regulated market for cultivation, manufacturing and retail sales.
—Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
The project is part of former mayor Eric Adams’s City of Yes, which legalized ancillary dwelling units.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 18 Mar. 2026
The measure marks a retaliatory response from Republican lawmakers, who placed the amendment on the ballot after the 2024 vote that legalized access.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
In Oregon, where psilocybin therapy was legalized in 2023, a third of new clinics have already closed owing to high operating expenses and treatment costs.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The leagues, initially so opposed to legalized sports betting, embraced it to help reverse sliding TV ratings and lure back the younger fans who were drifting away.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Adjective
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Deepfake abuse is a growing problem at schools across the country, but experts warn that school policies, legal recourse and education lag far behind.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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Together, Feig’s keynote and Glaser’s recognition underscore the intersection of creative vision and legal excellence that defines the modern entertainment industry — making Power of Law one of the most essential gatherings for leaders shaping the business of entertainment today.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Maybe the other beneficiary to this whole story would be Russia, because Russia has had its exports sanctioned by the West, and when there's no oil flowing from the Middle East, that's harder to do.—
Zulekha Nathoo,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
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The tanker is carrying 730,000 barrels of fuel and is on the list of vessels of its type sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine, Piñón said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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,
25 Mar. 2026
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That’s a legitimate concern, but aerobic fitness is an even better predictor of longevity and marker of general health.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Only one winner per household is permitted in any contest.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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In June 2024, the General Assembly enacted enabling legislation that permitted the sale and established the management structure of the new entity.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Court of Appeals did not rule on whether the expulsion itself was lawful.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to look at whether such court reviews of the process, to get around the fact that the law specifically strips courts of their role in reviewing TPS determinations, are lawful.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bill Kenwright Ltd, the company of the late UK theatre stalwart, has licensed the rights after chasing the IP for more than a year.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
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Authorities later found a number of guns at Reilly's home that he was not licensed to own, according to prosecutors.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Listings on the Swimply app says whether parties are allowed at the venue and also include details on the maximum number of guests allowed, access to restrooms and parking and any age or pet restrictions.—
Mary Ramsey
March 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
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As many as 80 detainees at a time were placed inside a container, without light or ventilation and allowed out only once a day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Owens made the case that under the stadium incentive package approved by lawmakers in 2024 and the tentative STAR bond agreement negotiated by Toland on behalf of the state, rejecting the sports authority bill would only give the executive branch more control over the project.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The deal must still be approved by a judge.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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