as in sanctioning
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalizing
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
The governor has called for legalizing marijuana and taxing skill games, which would close some of that gap.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
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
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
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
The governor has called for legalizing marijuana and taxing skill games, which would close some of that gap.
—Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing
Verb
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Moving the start time up is not unprecedented; the sanctioning body did the same thing a year ago, for instance.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
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Heraskevych evidently can train in the helmet without risk of IOC sanctioning.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These restrictions come in the shape of bans, permitting requirements that make projects economically unfeasible or moratoriums that may or may not eventually expire.—
Suhail Bhat,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission would lose its authority to issue licenses permitting facilities to allow simulcast dog races starting July 1, 2027.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rather than allowing a single hero product to dominate, Safdie expanded the narrative across collections, pushing further into tailoring and Old Hollywood references.—
Amy Francombe,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the suite, much of the campus is also accessible, allowing all guests to enjoy the desert grounds and amenities with ease.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In January, Panama’s Supreme Court struck down the law approving the concession contract for Panama Ports Company, or PPC, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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While state law seemingly handcuffs local officials into approving solar projects, Richmond said residents and board members need to work together to fight solar power plants.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2025, it was revealed that Clark and the MLBPA were subjects of a federal investigation regarding revenue from licensing agreements.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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According to licensing documents, a construction completion date is set for June 2026.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Its dual-chip architecture integrates NVIDIA Jetson Orin and Intel N97 processors, enabling high-performance computing for complex tasks and real-time AI workloads.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
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Women collaborators — editors, producers, wives — did essential, often unrecognized work enabling the trio’s rise.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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