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
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
It's been five years since New York legalized recreational marijuana.
—Ali Bauman, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
So far, 24 states and the District of Columbia have fully legalized recreational marijuana for adults, allowing adults aged 21 and older to possess, use and, in most cases, cultivate small amounts of cannabis, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
—Liz Neporent, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Those federal barriers remained in place even as roughly half of states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and even more have approved it for medical use.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
But many states have legalized marijuana — both medical (40) and recreational (24).
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Relatedly, another study published Friday in JAMA Network Open found that rates of adolescent cannabis use increased after recreational use was legalized in California, but decreased after the Covid pandemic.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
FanDuel’s core sportsbook app averages 4 million monthly users across 25 states where sports betting has been legalized, according to Genetski.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
The move also essentially splits the market in states that have legalized weed for both medical and recreational consumers.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
It's been five years since New York legalized recreational marijuana.
—Ali Bauman, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
So far, 24 states and the District of Columbia have fully legalized recreational marijuana for adults, allowing adults aged 21 and older to possess, use and, in most cases, cultivate small amounts of cannabis, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
—Liz Neporent, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Those federal barriers remained in place even as roughly half of states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and even more have approved it for medical use.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
But many states have legalized marijuana — both medical (40) and recreational (24).
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Relatedly, another study published Friday in JAMA Network Open found that rates of adolescent cannabis use increased after recreational use was legalized in California, but decreased after the Covid pandemic.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
FanDuel’s core sportsbook app averages 4 million monthly users across 25 states where sports betting has been legalized, according to Genetski.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Adjective
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Each year in the US, there are nearly 500 arrests for filicide — the legal term for when parents kill their children — according to an analysis of FBI data by Forensic Science International.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Department of Buildings does not have the legal authority to change the law unilaterally.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Oviedo went 15-8 in 2008 and reached the state semifinal round in the first year that lacrosse was sanctioned as a state championship sport by the FHSAA.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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Ukraine, which also returns to the Venice Biennale this year, has sanctioned five individuals associated with the Russian pavilion and has lobbied to have the participants’ visas revoked.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Each is a legitimate scientific acronym, carefully reverse-engineered to land on a Yiddish word.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
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That’s what was needed to justify turning down an offer with a big premium from a legitimate business — no matter the board’s preferred outcome for the company.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Outside food and drinks are allowed in most areas, which is helpful for families with dietary needs or anyone trying to keep costs down, though outside food is not permitted inside the aquarium.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
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The diplomat also spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't permitted to brief reporters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Should Citizenship and Immigration Services approve it, Juan will be able to seek lawful permanent residency.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Tolbert wrote that officers may ask about immigration status during lawful detentions or arrests, work with federal immigration authorities, and share immigration‑status information.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The vaccine is licensed for these age groups, and patients may choose to receive it at these ages in consultation with their health care provider.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Shaknovsky, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, had been licensed to practice in several states.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Soriano allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks in five innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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If catchers, pitchers, or hitters believed an umpire missed a call, they were suddenly allowed to challenge it.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2023, Florida lawmakers unanimously approved expanding KidCare to extend health insurance to more than 40,000 children.—
Daniel Chang,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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She is poised to become a member of the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 1, if her nomination is approved.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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