LEGALIZED Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

legalized 1 of 2

adjective

as in legal

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legalized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of legalize

as in sanctioned

to make (something) legal They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.

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Dissimilar Words

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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

Verb

Researchers at the New York Fed blamed legalized sports betting for rising consumer-loan delinquencies. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 23 July 2026 Recreational marijuana isn't legal in Pennsylvania, but using cannabis for medical purposes was legalized throughout the state in 2016. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 22 July 2026 The 2023 Drug Testing Index showed that positivity rates for cannabis are higher in states that have legalized marijuana for recreational or medical purposes. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Their widespread availability is thanks to a loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized products derived from hemp — a type of cannabis plant used in agricultural products like textiles and oils. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 21 July 2026 Carpenter also stressed that the industry has come a long way since Proposition 215, which legalized medical marijuana in California in 1996, and whose 30th anniversary is this year. — Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026 Luxembourg Luxembourg legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in March 2009 with the Law on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. — Connor Greene, Time, 16 July 2026 They’ve so far been legalized in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, but not in San Francisco. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 In the 1860s, Brazil and Cuba both had legalized slavery, and slavery was practiced throughout West Africa in more or less formal or informal forms as well. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized

Adjective

In December 2024, a Bucharest court ruled that the first case against the Tates and their two female associates couldn't proceed to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities and sent it back to prosecutors.

— Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 19 July 2026
And some legal experts are now questioning whether the department is playing politics in an unprecedented way with a high-profile criminal investigation.

— Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Definition of legal

Verb

Kyiv says the long-range strikes hit logistical hubs supplying sanctioned drone components and fuel to Russian forces, plus ships, cranes and a patrol vessel in the Black and Azov seas.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026
Entities recently sanctioned include Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism, the country’s main energy company Cupet, and GAESA, the military conglomerate that controls about 40% of the country’s economy.

— Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Definition of sanctioned

Adjective

At the same time, peaceful political speech, religious expression, and lawful protest must not be treated as terrorism.

— Stephen V. Iacullo, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026
Scammers often pretend to be lawyers offering ways to avoid in-person court hearings, taking advantage of anxieties among even lawful residents after ICE officers began rounding up people during immigration proceedings.

— Naisha Roy, ProPublica, 16 July 2026

Definition of lawful

Verb

Contrary to Trump’s comments on Thursday night, national networks are not licensed by the government, but local stations are.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
For instance, Ohio requires principals of schools participating in its scholarship program to be licensed.

— Mollie Simon, ProPublica, 16 July 2026

Definition of licensed

Verb

In what was a relatively uncharacteristic ending for this Spain team – perhaps seeing the finish line so close – the squad allowed Argentina a few last chances, two of which couldn’t have been closer in the final eight minutes or so of the match.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
This spring, residents were allowed to return to the ruins of the complex, Wang Fuk Court.

— New York Times, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of allowed

Verb

The decision by the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee will need to be approved by the full organization, which is scheduled to meet in August.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
If approved, the course would be located along Brush Creek between Old Town Creekside and Interstate 435 at 15550 Old Town Dr.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Definition of approved

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“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalized

adjective

verb

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