as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalize
Two bills to legalize recreational marijuana were introduced in the 2025 legislative session, but both died in the session.
—
Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025
Party time is over In 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalize marijuana.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
Two Republicans from the Ohio House of Representatives have introduced House Bill 298, which would legalize online games like roulette and poker, NBC affiliate WKYC reported.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 2 July 2025
Closing 2018 Farm Bill Hemp Loophole The 2018 Farm Bill, passed during President Donald Trump’s first term, legalized hemp containing up to 0.3% THC nationwide for industrial purposes.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025
Party time is over In 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalize marijuana.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
Two Republicans from the Ohio House of Representatives have introduced House Bill 298, which would legalize online games like roulette and poker, NBC affiliate WKYC reported.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 2 July 2025
Closing 2018 Farm Bill Hemp Loophole The 2018 Farm Bill, passed during President Donald Trump’s first term, legalized hemp containing up to 0.3% THC nationwide for industrial purposes.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
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On one hand, not having football means most Big East schools won’t come close to paying out the overall $20.5 million cap permitted by the House settlement.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Ukraine's latest hit on one of Russia's largest manufacturers of radio electronics which is sanctioned by the EU will deliver a blow to Moscow's military capabilities.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
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In 2012, Mark, a physician, was stripped of his license, and David was sanctioned for practicing medicine without one.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Berry-Godsey also appeared remotely, but wasn't allowed to speak.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
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Chlorine and bromine are typically the main bacteria-fighting agents added to pools, and elevated pH can create conditions that allow bacteria to thrive in pool water.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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The Tuesday launch date to begin gathering voter signatures is a month earlier this year due to legislation approved last year that also advanced the date for candidates to file their petitions to Oct. 27, rather than the end of November.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
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Earlier this season, the PGA Tour's Policy Board approved a restructuring of the year-end bonus format.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Two subwoofers can also enable each unit to operate at a lower volume with less strain, increasing the system’s headroom.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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According to the Inquirer and the Los Angeles Times, this enabled Lambert and Buck to enter the home while Hazel was gone.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Smartphone licensing revenue rose 18% to $235 million, and licensing revenue from Consumer Electronics/Internet of Things/Automotive surged 175% to $65 million.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Nevada doesn’t prohibit the purchase of assault rifles, and gun sellers aren’t required to be licensed with the state.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To the local big-game purists, sharks were the stray dogs of the sea, and if Mundus was willing to control the population he was accepted as an eccentric asset to the community.—
Pat Smith,
Outdoor Life,
24 July 2025
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Previous research indicates that, compared to pessimists, optimists enjoy wider social circles, tend to be perceived as more likeable and are more likely to be accepted by their peers.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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