as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of legalize
Now, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, according to the National Council of State Legislatures.
—
Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
In many areas where the units were legalized, aldermen added caveats.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Chile was the last country in Latin America to legalize divorce in 2004, Bahamondes recalled.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Americans have wagered more than $520 billion on sports since the practice was legalized, and quarterly deposits have risen to $1,250 in 2025, compared to $500 five years ago, the Fed researchers found.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
In many areas where the units were legalized, aldermen added caveats.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Chile was the last country in Latin America to legalize divorce in 2004, Bahamondes recalled.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Americans have wagered more than $520 billion on sports since the practice was legalized, and quarterly deposits have risen to $1,250 in 2025, compared to $500 five years ago, the Fed researchers found.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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The case focuses specifically on Maryland’s ability to block Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts in the state -– such as whether the Orioles will win the American League East division —that Maryland says amount to rogue sports bets not permitted by its law.—
Jeff Barker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
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As for the Yankees, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Max Fried will look to continue the dominance of a rotation that has only permitted two runs through six games.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The vessel, Anatoly Kolodkin, is sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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The vessel, Anatoly Kolodkin, is sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Because the property was given special permission to build here and to date, is the only structure in Gion allowed to be above the legal limit of 39 feet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Spencer Knight stopped 31 shots for Chicago, and Arvid Soderblom made four saves and allowed a goal while Knight dealt with an equipment issue.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to a March 24 Reuters poll, 35% of Americans approve of the strikes on Iran versus 61% who disapprove.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Baltimore is on the hook for $100,000, which was approved with the routine agenda at the beginning of the Board of Estimates meeting.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That vision of worldwide economic and cultural interdependence that enabled the proliferation of biennials in the ’90s has been steadily eroding amid the recent rise in nativism and far-right movements in the United States and Europe.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Shackelford accused Hernandez of corruption, and her own department of enabling and covering it up, in a detailed whistleblower complaint to DeSantis’ Chief Inspector General.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the application posits a scenario of the company licensing its technology to various partners, as many vendors currently do.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Barbie brand was licensed by Mischief Management, a spokesperson for Mattel said.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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