as in sanctioning
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalizing
If passed, the MORE Act would remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), effectively legalizing marijuana at the federal level.
—
A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti star in the drama about an Italian president in the final six months of his last term who faces some deep moral decisions including two potential pardons and the question of signing a bill legalizing euthanasia.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
These laws come on the heels of states such as Oregon, Colorado, Kentucky and Georgia legalizing ketamine – a psychedelic that has been used in emergency rooms as anesthesia – for therapeutic purposes in the past two years.
—Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025
Several years after legalizing recreational cannabis, what is Massachusetts left with other than hundreds of millions in tax revenue and a lingering air of pot on the streets that wasn’t there before?
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
And then all of a sudden, New York state is legalizing cannabis.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Public opinion has shifted over the years to dramatically favor mostly legalizing marijuana as many states have moved to permit the use of weed for both medical and recreational purposes.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
In addition, a 2021 study by the state’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the legislature’s bipartisan fiscal arm, indicated that legalizing iGaming could lead to the cannibalization of revenues at casinos and bars with video poker.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2025
An impact study released before the November election estimated that legalizing liquor sales would add 114 jobs in Burleson and boost the city’s annual tax revenue by approximately $253,961.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti star in the drama about an Italian president in the final six months of his last term who faces some deep moral decisions including two potential pardons and the question of signing a bill legalizing euthanasia.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
These laws come on the heels of states such as Oregon, Colorado, Kentucky and Georgia legalizing ketamine – a psychedelic that has been used in emergency rooms as anesthesia – for therapeutic purposes in the past two years.
—Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025
Several years after legalizing recreational cannabis, what is Massachusetts left with other than hundreds of millions in tax revenue and a lingering air of pot on the streets that wasn’t there before?
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
And then all of a sudden, New York state is legalizing cannabis.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Public opinion has shifted over the years to dramatically favor mostly legalizing marijuana as many states have moved to permit the use of weed for both medical and recreational purposes.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
In addition, a 2021 study by the state’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the legislature’s bipartisan fiscal arm, indicated that legalizing iGaming could lead to the cannibalization of revenues at casinos and bars with video poker.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2025
An impact study released before the November election estimated that legalizing liquor sales would add 114 jobs in Burleson and boost the city’s annual tax revenue by approximately $253,961.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing
Verb
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The entities sued the motorsport sanctioning body after declining to sign the charter agreement that NASCAR made available to teams to sign in September.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Sep. 2025
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In reality, the first scenario does not exist and the guarantees that would underpin the second are impossible to give, meaning sanctioning a sale at this stage in the window, at any price, would represent a sporting gamble that could be risky at best, reckless at worst.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Those efforts include exploration, better understanding of resource bases and getting licenses and permitting underway.—
April Roach,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
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These projects are intended to show how CMBlu’s non-lithium chemistry can integrate with utility infrastructure and reduce permitting risks.—
Anna Broughel,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The system is designed to reset each year, allowing qualified applicants to continue pursuing permanent residency in the United States.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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His score-tying single in the seventh inning fell at Giancarlo Stanton’s feet in left field, easily allowing pinch runner Jacob Melton to motor home from second base.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Without independent, experienced directors, the board has become a rubber stamp, approving misaligned compensation packages and tolerating underwhelming strategies while shareholders and franchisees shoulder the consequences.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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What was supposed to happen When there isn't a zealous anti-vaccine activist personally directing federal vaccine policy, US health agencies have a thorough, transparent protocol for approving and recommending vaccinations.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Armani was also among the first to understand the importance of licensing details in such key categories as his booming beauty and fragrance division, and forged a formidable partnership with L’Oréal.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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The Disney sports powerhouse will be licensing additional games.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, the Nevo A06’s roof houses a lidar system, complemented by three millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 11 cameras, enabling level 2 advanced driving assistance features.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
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However, these responses did not follow, enabling the Taliban to continue and do so with impunity.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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