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 Virginia rightfully rejected legalizing online casinos this past spring, recognizing the threat of putting a 24/7 slot machine within arm’s reach of every state resident. — Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 Whether rescheduling, legalizing or restricting marijuana rises in importance remains to be seen. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 Several of the late Sutch’s policies, such as lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 and legalizing commercial radio, were eventually enacted. — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Their recommendations include many of the same policy levers — reducing minimum lot sizes, reconsidering minimum parking requirements and legalizing ADUs, for example. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 The findings come as more states are legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing

Verb

Villa similarly moved quickly to secure Zion Suzuki, sanctioning Emiliano Martinez’s departure.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Options like seizing Iranian assets and sanctioning Iran’s trading partners, exchange houses, and Chinese banks all have potential downsides.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sanctioning

Verb

Menu items will include jambalaya, truffle tenderloin steak and Louisiana-style braised short ribs, according to permitting documents.

— Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Recovery rates, infrastructure access, energy and transportation costs, commodity prices, and permitting timelines add further variables that determine commercial viability.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of permitting

Verb

The work is being built around a modular open systems approach, allowing newer technologies to be incorporated without requiring a complete redesign of the aircraft.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
Downs got several reps against him, allowing a touchdown in red zone work but appearing to break up a pass along the sideline that was initially ruled a reception.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of allowing

Verb

But the City Council still must take additional steps before public funding is put toward the project, including approving the issuance of bonds to fund the $600 million package.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
Cooper also found that the Kennedy Center board had acted unlawfully in approving a two-year closure for renovations.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of approving

Verb

The deal was later reported as a five-year arrangement, with Reebok licensing the G-Unit sneaker line; Forbes reported that Reebok paid $20 million for the licensing deal.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 17 Aug. 2026
This strategic partnership with Miral involves Disney licensing its IP and providing oversight, while Miral funds, builds, and operates the park, paying royalties.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of licensing

Verb

This move allowed the company to provide better product-level life cycle assessment data enabling digital product passport creation across its product portfolio.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Internally at the studios, copyright divisions spend their energy targeting larger criminal operations enabling these digital pirates — the hives sharing and disseminating premium content.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalizing

verb

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