as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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 legalize
Officials are now working on drafting new rules and licensing regulations that would change that, creating a new type of marijuana business allowed in the city after voters legalized recreational marijuana statewide in 2022.
—
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The use of delta-8 THC is most common in states that have not legalized marijuana and have left the cannabinoid unregulated, according to the findings of a recent study by researchers at the University of California in San Diego.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Readers after the Second World War recognized how Kafka had foreseen the cold, legalized violence that defined the 20th century.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Now, Hollister is sharing his story in hopes of encouraging lawmakers in Ohio to legalize medical aid in dying in the state.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
The use of delta-8 THC is most common in states that have not legalized marijuana and have left the cannabinoid unregulated, according to the findings of a recent study by researchers at the University of California in San Diego.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Readers after the Second World War recognized how Kafka had foreseen the cold, legalized violence that defined the 20th century.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Now, Hollister is sharing his story in hopes of encouraging lawmakers in Ohio to legalize medical aid in dying in the state.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
-
Halloween-style may not to be worn upon entry and in concourses but will be permitted when guests are in seats.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Notably, military officials overseeing the Washington deployment declared early on that while Title 32 permits troops to make arrests, they are not authorized to do so in this case.—
Alex Horton,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Leclerc wasn’t sanctioned because the available evidence on his leaving the track, rather than the contentious positioning, was inconclusive.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The United Kingdom also sanctioned 30 individuals and companies, included businesses based in China and Turkey, that have supplied Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While commercial pilots are allowed to use iPads and electronic tablets in the cockpit to access navigation charts and checklists, the tone of the exchange sparked questions about situational awareness in a restricted airspace.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses come with the Meta Neural Band, an EMG wristband that allows users to control the device using hand gestures.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The United States has approved the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Peru to support the South American country's counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Despite being used frequently in cosmetics, Crodafos CES had to first be tested and approved by the FDA to make it onto the Inactive Ingredient Database.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That design enabled thick, high-loading cathodes.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Clarify how equity-centric design enables the organization to collectively go the distance regardless of environment, economical and legislative shifts and obstacles.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of just contracting with subject experts for copyright of material, now professionals have to consider licensing their likeness and voice for specific use.—
Tracy King,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Wang Jingtao, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said at a press conference earlier this week that the algorithm is expected to remain the same due to licensing agreements.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The bid was accepted by the club, but ultimately fell through.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This could be relevant to ongoing efforts to determine whether sensory experiences during breastfeeding can influence how readily infants accept new foods upon weaning, and perhaps even their later food preferences.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share