as in sanctioning
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalizing
Defending the gambling expansion, Rouse has typically framed legalizing new gambling machines as an important source of income for small businesses.
—
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Multiple states have argued that legalizing and regulating sports betting is under the jurisdiction of local regulators and outside the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates event contracts and the prediction markets.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Since legalizing online gambling in 2021, the state requires betting platforms to be licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 5 Mar. 2026
His issues page lists populist reforms like raising the minimum wage, strengthening workers’ ability to organize, and legalizing marijuana.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
In a time of great financial instability and uncertainty for our city, legalizing unregulated video gambling terminals will only worsen our problems.
—Julie Darling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Which Mayor Johnson had backed a corporate head tax, his opponents' budget relied on an increase in the city's plastic bag tax, overhauling the tax on off-premise liquor sales; legalizing video gambling terminals in Chicago, and opening up new advertising opportunities.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The association, which represents casinos, including Monarch Casino in Black Hawk, conducted the poll after learning that gambling companies were interested in legalizing internet gambling — known as iGaming — in Colorado, a state in which online sports betting is popular.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana in Hawaii say a regulated market for adults will improve consumer safety, create new economic opportunities and reduce crime.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Multiple states have argued that legalizing and regulating sports betting is under the jurisdiction of local regulators and outside the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates event contracts and the prediction markets.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Since legalizing online gambling in 2021, the state requires betting platforms to be licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 5 Mar. 2026
His issues page lists populist reforms like raising the minimum wage, strengthening workers’ ability to organize, and legalizing marijuana.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
In a time of great financial instability and uncertainty for our city, legalizing unregulated video gambling terminals will only worsen our problems.
—Julie Darling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Which Mayor Johnson had backed a corporate head tax, his opponents' budget relied on an increase in the city's plastic bag tax, overhauling the tax on off-premise liquor sales; legalizing video gambling terminals in Chicago, and opening up new advertising opportunities.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The association, which represents casinos, including Monarch Casino in Black Hawk, conducted the poll after learning that gambling companies were interested in legalizing internet gambling — known as iGaming — in Colorado, a state in which online sports betting is popular.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana in Hawaii say a regulated market for adults will improve consumer safety, create new economic opportunities and reduce crime.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing
Verb
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Russia’s shadow fleet is made up of aging tankers that are bought used, often by nontransparent entities with addresses in countries that are not sanctioning Russia.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That’s not to say that good intentions place Ellis’ order above appellate scrutiny, although in my opinion, her sole (but significant) misstep was failing to give her orders teeth by sanctioning government lawyers and holding DHS agents in contempt of court.—
Seth Stern,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mahan’s campaign website lays out a multi-pronged approach to ensuring affordable housing in the state, including through capping fees and taxes on new infill housing and addressing permitting delays.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
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Since 1995, the project’s developers have spent several billion dollars on planning, permitting and legal cases.—
Adam Charles Simon,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Use hooks to hang tablecloths, saving space and allowing the textiles to be part of your display.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Winds will be light and skies will be mostly sunny, allowing highs to warm into the upper 70s from Palo Alto to San Jose, with a few 80 degree readings scattered throughout.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Monday, the City Council will look at approving a $181,000 contract for pre-development services.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
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Congress remains deadlocked over approving funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA.—
Philip Marcelo,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Before joining the team in 2023, Stephen managed the photographic archive for multimedia publisher Future, working on everything from picture editing and content licensing to directing photo shoots.—
Stephen Kelly,
TheWeek,
26 Mar. 2026
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Multiple Sacramento Bee readers reached out to the service journalism team earlier this year, wondering if the state mandates licensing or permitting for local lemonade stands.—
Brianna Taylor,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The aims have ranged from weakening Iran's nuclear program, missile program and support for armed proxies to enabling the Iranian people to overthrow the theocracy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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The modular design allows for three standard payload modules to be installed or one extra-large module, enabling missions such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and undersea cable and pipeline inspection.—
David Szondy
March 22,
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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