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
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The Knesset recently legalized the death penalty for Arabs who murder Jews, but not for the hoodlum Israeli settlers who have been killing West Bank residents to seize their land.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The 2018 Farm Bill, for instance, legalized hemp, a non-psychoactive derivative of the cannabis plant used to make textiles, rope and other consumer goods.
—William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
It’s been nearly a decade since California voters legalized recreational cannabis, but production and sales remain outlawed in most of the state — and the black market dominates.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Roman Emperor Constantine legalized the religion in 313.
—Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
Since medical marijuana was legalized there, an entire industry has sprung up seemingly overnight — scrappy, local, women-focused and driven by a can-do ethos that could only happen in America’s heartland.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The Knesset recently legalized the death penalty for Arabs who murder Jews, but not for the hoodlum Israeli settlers who have been killing West Bank residents to seize their land.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
The 2018 Farm Bill, for instance, legalized hemp, a non-psychoactive derivative of the cannabis plant used to make textiles, rope and other consumer goods.
—William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
It’s been nearly a decade since California voters legalized recreational cannabis, but production and sales remain outlawed in most of the state — and the black market dominates.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Roman Emperor Constantine legalized the religion in 313.
—Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
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
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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As of the end of 2025, the walls of Atlanta feature more than 2,000 murals and sanctioned graffiti pieces.—
Arthur Rudick,
AJC.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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The European Union first sanctioned him in 2008, and imposed parallel sanctions in 2022 over the use of live ammunition, arbitrary detention of protesters and journalists, and the violent suppression of demonstrations.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
20 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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Hegseth said the company must allow for any uses the Pentagon deemed lawful.—
Josh Boak,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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While law enforcement credits the cameras for significant drops in crime, critics say the cameras violate privacy rights, create databases of persons engaged in lawful activities, and allow for the sharing of data across jurisdictions.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
16 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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After entering the game tied at 3 in the ninth, Mets closer Devin Williams allowed two runs in a disastrous final frame to fall to the Twins 5-3 and record their 12th loss in a row, their longest streak since 2002.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Hawks only allowed five runs in two games behind the pitching of Pelz, Yario and Colaizzi.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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