LEGALIZING Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

legalizing

verb

present participle of legalize

as in sanctioning

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 legalizing Holscher, in a video outside of a dispensary in Kansas City, made a case for legalizing marijuana for an additional source of revenue for the state, building up the local cannabis industry and for personal freedom. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026 Research suggests that policies legalizing bodily surveillance are not a positive influence for any child in youth sports. — Megan Gandy, The Conversation, 1 July 2026 The City Council approved legalizing VGTs as part of its late 2025 budget. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 25 June 2026 The city of Sacramento took its next step toward legalizing cannabis consumption lounges as a part of a five-year pilot program, but local tokers won’t be able to visit such a space for a while. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 Continue reading … SAFE SPACES — Minneapolis city council hear arguments in favor of legalizing adult bathhouses for LGBTQ community. — FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 In exchange for legalizing sports betting, Colorado voters agreed that sportsbooks should be taxed at a 10% rate to fund water conservation. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 June 2026 Separately, the administration swiped $35 million allocated to needy children and drug prevention to pay for efforts to kill that amendment and another legalizing marijuana. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026 The majority of Montanans support legalizing corner crossing, highlighting the need for resolution. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing

Verb

The next day, Paxton’s office wrote to the conference warning that sanctioning Tech for supporting Sorsby was against the law and would carry consequences.

— Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
The White House has repeatedly threatened to oust Cuba’s communist regime, sanctioning key figures and state entities, and tightening a trade embargo that has led to a humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean nation.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of sanctioning

Verb

Sugano has yielded 18 home runs in 17 starts, allowing multiple homers in back-to-back starts and permitting at least one in five straight.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Thanks to the lobbying by Chevron and other fossil fuel companies, the current administration has cut all funding and permitting for renewable energy.

— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026

Definition of permitting

Verb

Eyeball had access to 27 full matches, allowing teams to assess his potential at Senegalese academies Bousports Academy and Amitie.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Defense lawyers have since withdrawn their motion to dismiss the case after the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control in April began allowing Maduro and Flores to receive money from Venezuela to pay for their attorneys.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of allowing

Verb

Williams said her priorities while working in the legislature are approving tax cuts for working families and pushing policies that lower the cost of living in the state.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
The Central Valley Flood Protection Board will consider approving a new cross-levee fence in the Pocket neighborhood at its Friday meeting.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of approving

Verb

In Mexico, the category grew 157 percent to $245 million on strong content licensing revenue and growth in ViX’s premium tier.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026
The Monopoly franchise has sold more than half a billion copies worldwide since Parker Brothers began licensing the game in 1935.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of licensing

Verb

PayJoy, founded by Doug Ricket, is transforming credit access in the global south, enabling millions to afford phones and invest in micro-businesses where traditional credit is scarce.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Future research aims to integrate continuous production technologies into these deployable systems, enabling critical materials to be manufactured closer to where they are needed.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Definition of enabling

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legalizes

legalizing

legally

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“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalizing

verb

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