LEGALIZES Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

legalizes

verb

present tense third-person singular of legalize

as in permits

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

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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 legalizes Senate Bill 6 legalizes possession of fentanyl testing strips, which can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl and help prevent overdoses. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 June 2026 This day in sports history 1944 — NFL legalizes coaching from bench. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 In December, the Chicago City Council passed a provision in the 2026 budget that legalizes licensing of unregulated video gambling terminals within the city limits. — Julie Darling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 This is in reference to Assembly Bill 720, a new California law which for the first time, legalizes tastings and wine sales at California vineyards. — Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Feb. 2026 The measure also legalizes possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis concentrates by adults, as well as cannabis edibles containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026 First, my plan legalizes the ability for any group to purchase insurance collectively and operate across state lines. — MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025 Both medical and recreational use are legal in Colorado, and New Mexico passed a law this year that legalizes certain medical uses. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizes

Verb

According to police, nobody had sought permission for the Mumbai event, and Azad Maidan is the sole venue where the Bombay High Court permits protests in the city.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The policy permits athletes assigned male at birth to practice with women’s teams under specified conditions.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of permits

Verb

The approach allows manufacturing techniques to evolve alongside the robot’s mechanical design.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
His startup's open-source software allows people to install and use models on a variety of computers.

— Kif Leswing,Annie Palmer,Jordan Novet, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of allows

Verb

The bill sanctions Russian financial institutions and its largest state energy projects while targeting Russian partners in the oil and natural gas trade.

— Chris Boccia, ABC News, 14 July 2026
For starters the World Cup is run by the same organization, FIFA, which sanctions virtually every level of soccer globally, from the men’s and women’s World Cups, to confederation competitions including the UEFA Championships and the Copa América, to most major age-group tournaments.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026

Definition of sanctions

Verb

Modular design enables upgrades Mayhem 10 features an open architecture that allows AeroVironment to incorporate third-party technologies without redesigning the entire platform.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Every farmer wants to do the right thing by their land—that enables them to sustain their business and pass it on to the next generation.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of enables

Verb

The California Department of Health Care Services, the state agency that licenses and oversees addiction treatment centers, has been criticized as having lax regulations governing how most private-pay rehabs can operate.

— Ilan Shrira, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
Pharma giant Novo licenses Chinese weight-loss drug Danish pharma giant Novo licensed a weight-loss treatment developed by a Chinese firm, highlighting advances in China’s increasingly cutting-edge biotech sector.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of licenses

Verb

While some debt settlement companies require clients to owe at least $10,000 to qualify, FDR accepts consumers with unsecured debts totaling $7,500.

— Carson Brunson, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Janet sacrifices her judgment of Martin and accepts his offering with an open heart.

— Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of accepts

Verb

Its defining feature is a flight system designed to manage the transition from takeoff to cruise after an operator authorizes launch.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
The declaration, announced Saturday afternoon, authorizes FEMA to coordinate all federal disaster relief.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorizes

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“Legalizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizes. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalizes

verb

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