as in sanctioning
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalizing
Multiple states have argued that legalizing and regulating sports betting is under the jurisdiction of local regulators and outside the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates event contracts and the prediction markets.
—
Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Since legalizing online gambling in 2021, the state requires betting platforms to be licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 5 Mar. 2026
His issues page lists populist reforms like raising the minimum wage, strengthening workers’ ability to organize, and legalizing marijuana.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
In a time of great financial instability and uncertainty for our city, legalizing unregulated video gambling terminals will only worsen our problems.
—Julie Darling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Which Mayor Johnson had backed a corporate head tax, his opponents' budget relied on an increase in the city's plastic bag tax, overhauling the tax on off-premise liquor sales; legalizing video gambling terminals in Chicago, and opening up new advertising opportunities.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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
Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Since legalizing online gambling in 2021, the state requires betting platforms to be licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 5 Mar. 2026
His issues page lists populist reforms like raising the minimum wage, strengthening workers’ ability to organize, and legalizing marijuana.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
In a time of great financial instability and uncertainty for our city, legalizing unregulated video gambling terminals will only worsen our problems.
—Julie Darling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Which Mayor Johnson had backed a corporate head tax, his opponents' budget relied on an increase in the city's plastic bag tax, overhauling the tax on off-premise liquor sales; legalizing video gambling terminals in Chicago, and opening up new advertising opportunities.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing
Verb
-
That’s not to say that good intentions place Ellis’ order above appellate scrutiny, although in my opinion, her sole (but significant) misstep was failing to give her orders teeth by sanctioning government lawyers and holding DHS agents in contempt of court.—
Seth Stern,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Justice Department told a federal appeals court that judges who blocked executive orders sanctioning several law firms had infringed on the president’s authority.—
Mark Berman,
Washington Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the first half of 2025, permitting was 16% below the 37-year average pace.—
Jeff Montejano,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Canada, where 16,499 people were medically euthanized in 2024, is likely to start permitting psychiatric euthanasia in 2027.—
Charles Lane,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Somaliland’s supporters in Washington view the territory as a potential security ally, with recognition potentially allowing US intelligence to monitor weapons flows, Houthi activity in Yemen, and China’s growing footprint, including Beijing’s military base in neighboring Djibouti.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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In each of the rooms or suites, large windows frame either mountain or courtyard views, allowing natural light and seasonal scenery to shape the experience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That’s one of the issues with approving funding allegedly dedicated to fixing either schools or roads.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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The spokesman said the Risk Management division of the city’s Human Resources department is also coming up with ways to reduce delays in approving medical diagnostic testing and certain conservative forms of treatment.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From the ease of streaming to new vinyl to licensing responsible AI tools and services, labels are diversifying fan engagement.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
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The scrutiny began in May, when ESPN reported that federal prosecutors and the FBI were investigating the NFLPA’s financial dealings with group-licensing firm OneTeam Partners.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The setup delivered roughly 280 gigabytes per second of bandwidth, enabling the machine to process enormous datasets efficiently.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
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Notably, Gavin researched and built an LED tape DMX decoder, enabling him to use LED tape to highlight sets.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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