as in sanctioning
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalizing
In Illinois, unions have also expressed some concern that legalizing autonomous vehicles could open the door to technologies that would threaten their members’ jobs.
—
Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 2 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
Bob Katter 60 Minutes Bob Katter believes that legalizing crocodile hunting would make waterways safe again - and turn a profit by attracting big game hunters.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Abe newly interpreted Article 9 as legalizing collective defense.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
It’s been a long wait for sports fans in the state, with many of the surrounding states legalizing betting apps years ago.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European coalition government's work on pushing through a bill legalizing same-sex unions has been held back by resistance from his conservative coalition partner.
—Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025
While in office, Olson tried unsuccessfully to sell GOP leadership on the idea of legalizing medical marijuana.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
He was best known in his time at the General Assembly for being one of the top House budget writers and being the major driver behind legalizing sports betting in North Carolina, which drew bipartisan support.
—Andrew Dys, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 2 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
Bob Katter 60 Minutes Bob Katter believes that legalizing crocodile hunting would make waterways safe again - and turn a profit by attracting big game hunters.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Abe newly interpreted Article 9 as legalizing collective defense.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
It’s been a long wait for sports fans in the state, with many of the surrounding states legalizing betting apps years ago.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European coalition government's work on pushing through a bill legalizing same-sex unions has been held back by resistance from his conservative coalition partner.
—Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025
While in office, Olson tried unsuccessfully to sell GOP leadership on the idea of legalizing medical marijuana.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
He was best known in his time at the General Assembly for being one of the top House budget writers and being the major driver behind legalizing sports betting in North Carolina, which drew bipartisan support.
—Andrew Dys, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing
Verb
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The four remaining members of the women’s board voted to remove sanctioning, but Becker overruled them.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
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This involves running a candidate event, which is essentially a mock WRC weekend that will evaluate the location’s ability to host a major event in terms of logistics, safety, crowd management, and race sanctioning.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Easing zoning and permitting rules Many housing experts point to local zoning and red tape as the root of the slowdown in homebuilding — something that is difficult for the federal government to address, since each local government makes its own rules.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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Email your senators and representative, or call them at 202-224-3121, to encourage them to support sensible permitting reform for clean and cheap renewable energy.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump administration officials provided more details about a new effort to supersede permitting for wildfire rebuilding in Los Angeles, allowing builders to bypass local building departments through self-certification.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Her sister liked how the double French doors opened to the outside, allowing everyone to move in and out and mingle so easily.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In early 2024, Guojun and Silvia briefly found themselves under scrutiny from a judge in family court, who took the rare step of calling a confidential hearing before approving a pre-birth order.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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The battle over new congressional maps ahead of November’s midterm elections has heated up as primary elections rapidly approach, with various court rulings blocking and approving new maps.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both studios will continue licensing their films and shows across their own and third-party platforms, while acquiring content from third-party studios and independent producers, according to the letter.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
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For starters, this rule was put into place with zero notice — not even to county tax collectors, who now oversee the nuts-and-bolts operation of licensing Florida’s nearly 19 million drivers.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Healthcare’s next era will likely be defined by infrastructures that mirror those in fintech or logistics, systems that operate invisibly beneath the surface while enabling every stakeholder to move with confidence.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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The last hurrah was a free agent spending spree designed to conquer the Dallas Cowboys that resulted in their last championship following the 1994 season, enabling Steve Young to escape the shadow of Joe Montana with a 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers in Miami.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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