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

As girls’ flag football surges and flag readies for a starring role at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, state officials brace for a broader debate over sanctioning boys’ flag statewide.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Big 12 administrators also met to consider sanctioning Texas Tech or Sorsby.

— Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Definition of sanctioning

Verb

Candidates can lower voters’ bills by committing to cutting permitting timelines, fixing transmission queues, and getting new generation connected to the grid.

— David Kieve, Time, 10 July 2026
The second opportunity is securing permitting reform that treats all energy equally and provides project certainty.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Definition of permitting

Verb

McDonald faced seven batters in the third, recording just one out and allowing six singles.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
But in people with narcolepsy, such boundaries become blurred, allowing elements of sleep to intrude into wakefulness in varying ways.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of allowing

Verb

Those discussions moved forward, with the Eagan City Council eventually approving a contentious land-use amendment, which was met with swift pushback from the community.

— Mars King, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026
The approval layers built are approving decisions that have already been made.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of approving

Verb

Some child daycare programs can be exempt from licensing if parents and guardians are on the same premises and if they are not operated on certain sites, including malls or ski facilities.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Many news outlets have tried to walk a line between protecting their work and partnering with AI companies for licensing opportunities as AI chatbots and summaries eat into digital traffic and the advertising dollars that accompany it.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 9 July 2026

Definition of licensing

Verb

Cook has additional concerns about the noise, vibrations and emissions from a natural gas power plant that would generate electricity for the data center, enabling it to operate off the grid.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
Brands should share these approaches with their customers, celebrating local fibers and crafts with place-identifying labels and enabling traceability rooted in the land and community.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalizing

verb

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