as in sanctioned
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in legal
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
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The possible order comes after the Texas Legislature adjourned a second special session without passing new regulations on the industry that has boomed since Texas legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp in 2019.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Casinos were legalized in Atlantic City in 1976.
—Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The use of delta-8 THC is most common in states that have not legalized marijuana and have left the cannabinoid unregulated, according to the findings of a recent study by researchers at the University of California in San Diego.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Readers after the Second World War recognized how Kafka had foreseen the cold, legalized violence that defined the 20th century.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
On-farm sales of raw milk were legalized in Illinois, with some restrictions, in 2016.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Since the ruling, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting in some form.
—Frank Pingue, Reuters, 25 Aug. 2025
Marijuana wouldn’t be legalized via a Schedule III designation, but criminal penalties would be reduced.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Officials are now working on drafting new rules and licensing regulations that would change that, creating a new type of marijuana business allowed in the city after voters legalized recreational marijuana statewide in 2022.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The possible order comes after the Texas Legislature adjourned a second special session without passing new regulations on the industry that has boomed since Texas legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp in 2019.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Casinos were legalized in Atlantic City in 1976.
—Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The use of delta-8 THC is most common in states that have not legalized marijuana and have left the cannabinoid unregulated, according to the findings of a recent study by researchers at the University of California in San Diego.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Readers after the Second World War recognized how Kafka had foreseen the cold, legalized violence that defined the 20th century.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
On-farm sales of raw milk were legalized in Illinois, with some restrictions, in 2016.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Since the ruling, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting in some form.
—Frank Pingue, Reuters, 25 Aug. 2025
Marijuana wouldn’t be legalized via a Schedule III designation, but criminal penalties would be reduced.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Verb
-
The company has been sanctioned by the United States.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Washington has sanctioned Chinese firms over dual-use goods and warned banks handling ruble transactions.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Paxton’s legal problems include criminal charges related to securities fraud in 2015.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
As the exclusive bargaining representative of NBA players, the NBPA licenses agents and thereby gives them the legal right to represent players in contract negotiations.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This budding technique involves comparing DNA samples to those accessible on public genetic databases which law enforcement is permitted to access.—
Claire Lempert,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Although Canon had mandated that the Cat's programmability be suppressed, the IAI team nevertheless maintained the ability to compute expressions, which Canon permitted as an extension of the editor metaphor.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The band’s attorneys said that consumers could be easily deceived by the products allegedly sold on the marketplace, which could, in turn, cause reputational damage for Twenty One Pilots and its legitimate products.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The attack was traced to an employee downloading a malicious file that was thought to be legitimate.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2025, Singapore introduced regulations requiring platforms operating in Singapore offering products such as cryptocurrencies, stablecoins or tokenized equities, to customers outside the city-state, to be licensed.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Under the Shield works to improve mental wellness in first responders through peer support, stress coaching and licensed mental health.—
Nick Franck,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Driving records were last considered public and easily accessible from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation before July 1, 2023, or the start date of a law that granted immigrants without lawful proof of presence in the country a pathway to a license.—
Chris Van Buskirk,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In many cases, the systems were deployed alongside lawful intercept platforms, which allow real-time surveillance of communications.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Smith replied that private schools must submit renewal packets every year before they are approved to continue participation in the accounts program, and that the agency compares the new tuition rates against the older rates.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Rogaine is one of the most popular over-the-counter products powered by minoxidil—not to mention FDA-approved—at a high concentration crafted into a foam that can be integrated into your hair-care regimen with ease.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than homogenizing these differences, the federation's genius lay in creating structures that allowed diversity to generate collective capability.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
However, according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, you are not allowed to drink alcohol on board unless it’s served by a flight attendant.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share