legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Even before sports gambling was legalized in parts of the country, the Super Bowl is one of the most prop-bet heavy events on the annual sporting calendar.
—
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
However, all the handwringing by critics could be avoided if states like California would legalize sports betting.
—Johnny Kampis, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
The practice has been legal in a handful of states and was legalized in New York since 2022.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Proposition 27, which would have legalized online sports betting, lost by an even wider margin of 83% to 17%.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
However, all the handwringing by critics could be avoided if states like California would legalize sports betting.
—Johnny Kampis, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
The practice has been legal in a handful of states and was legalized in New York since 2022.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Proposition 27, which would have legalized online sports betting, lost by an even wider margin of 83% to 17%.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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