as in sanctioning
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalizing
But a recent study by the University of California San Diego Qualcomm Institute and School of Medicine has revealed what has been the impact of legalizing sports betting on Americans—showing a dramatic increase in sports betting and gambling addiction help-seeking (23 percent) since 2018.
—
Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation legalizing the possession, use and cultivation of cannabis in the state.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 21 Oct. 2025
Those levels remained high over a six-year period, despite the state recently legalizing recreational cannabis.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
City of Yes passed at the end of last year, promising to create more than 80,000 new homes over 15 years, in part by legalizing the creation of apartments in people’s backyards or basements of people’s single- and two-family homes.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2025
Back in 2020, sportsbooks were looking to acquire customers in the states that were legalizing.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025
The excise tax rate was included in the law Michigan voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana sales in 2018.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
With more states legalizing adult-use cannabis and new businesses entering the market, brands are racing to define themselves and stand out.
—Iris Dorbian, Forbes.com, 18 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
Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation legalizing the possession, use and cultivation of cannabis in the state.
—Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 21 Oct. 2025
Those levels remained high over a six-year period, despite the state recently legalizing recreational cannabis.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
City of Yes passed at the end of last year, promising to create more than 80,000 new homes over 15 years, in part by legalizing the creation of apartments in people’s backyards or basements of people’s single- and two-family homes.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2025
Back in 2020, sportsbooks were looking to acquire customers in the states that were legalizing.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025
The excise tax rate was included in the law Michigan voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana sales in 2018.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
With more states legalizing adult-use cannabis and new businesses entering the market, brands are racing to define themselves and stand out.
—Iris Dorbian, Forbes.com, 18 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing
Verb
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This could include sanctioning, censuring or suspending a judge, or recommending a judge be removed from office.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
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Garcia had entered the final 18 months of his Barca deal and sporting director Deco was not opposed to sanctioning a sale for a player who was at risk of leaving for free in the following two summer windows.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their characteristic projecting spines serve both as flotation modulators (via a complex process akin to raising and lowering protoplasmic sails) and as masts permitting the cell to extend itself outward into the surrounding water and feed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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States governed by both Democrats and Republicans — including Florida, Montana and Washington — have enacted reforms like eliminating minimum lot sizes, permitting accessory dwelling units and limiting on-site parking spaces.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The growing trend of player-for-player marking can also mean that teams can bypass an opponent’s midfield with direct passes when building up, allowing an attacking midfielder, two wingers, and a lone striker to stay high and push the opposition back towards their own goal.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Each room is designed in one of four colors—red, blue, green, or yellow—allowing guests to choose their mood.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The RealClearPolitics polling average is a few points higher, with 45% approving and 52% disapproving.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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As a result of a series of fiscal and appropriations committees overseeing government budgets, the process of allocating and approving funds is convoluted, Bilmes said.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet, through the union, players also financially benefit from licensing deals with gambling companies (The Athletic has a partnership with sportsbook BetMGM).—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Subscription and licensing revenue grew 3 percent in the latest quarter to $493 million owing to growth in ViX’s premium tier and higher content licensing revenue.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Every system is designed for manufacturability from day one, enabling rapid iteration and high-volume production.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
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Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan, and the Taliban regime that rules the country, of harboring and enabling terrorist groups targeting its territory, including Taliban militant offshoot, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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