as in permits
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalizes
This day in sports history 1944 — NFL legalizes coaching from bench.
—
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
In December, the Chicago City Council passed a provision in the 2026 budget that legalizes licensing of unregulated video gambling terminals within the city limits.
—Julie Darling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
This is in reference to Assembly Bill 720, a new California law which for the first time, legalizes tastings and wine sales at California vineyards.
—Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Feb. 2026
The measure also legalizes possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis concentrates by adults, as well as cannabis edibles containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
First, my plan legalizes the ability for any group to purchase insurance collectively and operate across state lines.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Both medical and recreational use are legal in Colorado, and New Mexico passed a law this year that legalizes certain medical uses.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
In December, the Chicago City Council passed a provision in the 2026 budget that legalizes licensing of unregulated video gambling terminals within the city limits.
—Julie Darling, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
This is in reference to Assembly Bill 720, a new California law which for the first time, legalizes tastings and wine sales at California vineyards.
—Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Feb. 2026
The measure also legalizes possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis concentrates by adults, as well as cannabis edibles containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
First, my plan legalizes the ability for any group to purchase insurance collectively and operate across state lines.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Both medical and recreational use are legal in Colorado, and New Mexico passed a law this year that legalizes certain medical uses.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizes
Verb
-
If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 May 2026
-
If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The roomy toe box here allows professional and recreational ballers alike to move their toes naturally, preventing distractions like squishing or squeezing.—
Amina Ayoud,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
-
The Lego form allows other versions of these characters to be brought together and for their unifying personality and traits to come out.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Building inspector approves operations The restaurant posted on Instagram following the incident, assuring customers that the building had been evaluated.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
The city attorney reviews and approves contracts and ordinances for legal compliance, defends the city against lawsuits, and brings civil lawsuits on behalf of the city.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
For starters the World Cup is run by the same organization, FIFA, which sanctions virtually every level of soccer globally, from the men’s and women’s World Cups, to confederation competitions including the UEFA Championships and the Copa América, to most major age-group tournaments.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
An autocratic government that sanctions violence.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fairness and efficiency are not in tension; fairness enables the cooperation and trust on which economic efficiency depends.—
Nick Hanauer,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
-
Our Starweave autonomous swarm software enables autonomous systems to operate as a coordinated workforce, completing mission objectives without constant human oversight.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
If the launch needs to be postponed, a planning advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration, which licenses commercial rocket launches, suggests another opportunity is available May 20.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, still retains a minority stake in the American version of TikTok, which licenses its algorithm from ByteDance.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The press release confirms BetHog accepts 10 cryptocurrencies.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
The moment is met with enthusiastic cheers and applause from the audience, as Sadie calmly accepts her gift and walks off the graduation stage with Muse.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit by the police officers says that no federal statute authorizes the creation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, or the establishment of a five-member commission to administer it.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
-
The 2016 act authorizes the president to impose economic sanctions and visa bans on foreign individuals or entities worldwide responsible for gross human rights abuses or significant corruption.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizes. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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