LEGALIZED Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

legalized 1 of 2

adjective

as in legal

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legalized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of legalize

as in sanctioned

to make (something) legal They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.

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Dissimilar Words

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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 legalized

Verb

They’ve so far been legalized in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, but not in San Francisco. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Licensed cannabis operators in states that have legalized marijuana tend to support the ban—they’re unhappy that hemp intoxicants face far less regulation and taxation than their products. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 In the 1860s, Brazil and Cuba both had legalized slavery, and slavery was practiced throughout West Africa in more or less formal or informal forms as well. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 Thirty-nine states, plus the District of Columbia, have legalized sports betting since 2018. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 7 July 2026 In the 2005 measure, the previous largest such instance, 576,500 immigrants had their status legalized. — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 In 1973, matatus were legalized, and their numbers in Nairobi, the capital, quickly grew. — Diego Menjíbar Reynés, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026 Polls show public opposition to legalized sports betting is mounting amid match-fixing scandals, social media harassment and aggressive marketing. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026 In the 2005 measure, the previous largest such instance, 576,500 immigrants had their status legalized. — ABC News, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized

Adjective

Months of legal jostling leading up to the hearing centered largely on media access.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Lawyers remained advocates for private clients, but Wilson increasingly described them as participants in preserving the legal order upon which republican government depended.

— Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of legal

Verb

The United States recently sanctioned her for GAESA involvement.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
By late February, Sinokor controlled about 150 very large crude carriers, according to industry estimates — nearly 40% of the global fleet that wasn’t either sanctioned or tied up on long-term leases or regular routes.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Definition of sanctioned

Adjective

Both men argue Los Angeles should consider creating a dedicated anti-squatter task force to help law enforcement distinguish legitimate tenant disputes from cases involving criminal conduct.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Schlittler, meanwhile, has a legitimate case to start for the American League, which will be managed by rival Blue Jays skipper John Schneider.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

Definition of legitimate

Verb

Tickets cost $90 per person for lunch and $140 per person for dinner, including a drink token for participating breweries and wineries in the area (alcohol isn’t permitted on the covered bridge).

— Midwest Living, Midwest Living, 6 July 2026
With the high court declining to intervene, the state will be permitted to enforce the law.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2026

Definition of permitted

Adjective

In March, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned on X that oil refiners and corporations engaged in price-fixing would be held accountable, vowing to deploy all lawful measures against unethical business practices.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Such cases include law enforcement officers and other first responders, individuals traveling directly to or from lawful employment, those seeking medical care, and those responding to emergencies.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of lawful

Verb

That allowed the Saudis to get its oil out via the Red Sea – not an option for Iraq and Kuwait, whose only seaports lie in the Persian Gulf.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Apple examines each application and each update of every third-party app, and if these don’t meet Apple’s definition of acceptable, then they are not allowed to be installed.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of allowed

Verb

It was approved by the City Council in January 2024, after some back-and-forth, as part of a new use agreement that gives the foundation access 50 days a year and allows the city the remainder of the scheduling.

— Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
After 16 days in detention, the government had approved the petition for Wilber’s release.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of approved

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“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalized

adjective

verb

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