as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of legalize
In most cases, an official nude beach is one where local governments have legalized public nudity within a specific zone such as in Spain with nudist friendly beaches on the island of Formentera, and in Germany with naturist spots like the English Garden in Munich.
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Disha Kalyankar, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
The Kentucky Legislature passed a law last year that legalized the auction of alcohol confiscated by law enforcement.
—Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024
Massachusetts passed a bill legalizing sports betting and estimated $35 million in annual tax revenue.
—Brian Curcio, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Still, other locations have decriminalized or legalized these mushrooms.
—Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legalize 
Disha Kalyankar, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
The Kentucky Legislature passed a law last year that legalized the auction of alcohol confiscated by law enforcement.
—Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024
Massachusetts passed a bill legalizing sports betting and estimated $35 million in annual tax revenue.
—Brian Curcio, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Still, other locations have decriminalized or legalized these mushrooms.
—Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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Strikes that endangered more than 100 civilians were occasionally permitted to target a handful of Hamas leaders, as long as senior generals or sometimes the political leadership approved, according to four Israeli officers involved in target selection.Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
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However, smaller fireworks like sparklers and fountains are permitted, per the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The state does not sanction teacher certifications for those who mistreat students unless there is a criminal conviction.Nolan McKendry | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Dec. 2024
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Among those sanctioned are two North Korean defense officials, No Kwang Chol and Kim Yong Bok, accused of bolstering military cooperation with Russia, including deploying thousands of troops and supervising their activities.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Those negotiations helped improve logistics, allowing the United States to increase deportation flights to countries in the Western Hemisphere, as well as to places, including China, that previously refused to accept their citizens.Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
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With a few strokes of JFK’s pen, the NFL was effectively granted an exemption to the Sherman Antitrust Act and college football could rest easy knowing that the pros wouldn’t be allowed to get their grubby meat hooks on Saturdays in autumn.Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The City Council approved at its November meeting year-end bonuses of $1,000 for full-time employees and department heads, $500 for part-time employees and $250 for the city's recorder/treasurer.Randy Moll, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024
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The city approved legislation to purchase and renovate Capital One Arena, where the Capitals and Wizards play, and Bowser has advocated federal legislation to clear the way for the RFK Stadium land to be redeveloped.Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Automated and enabled by AI, criminal hackers will continue to extort victims at a startling rate in 2025.Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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This would enable it to conduct non-nuclear strikes on the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Panama was then a province of Colombia, which refused to ratify a subsequent 1901 treaty licensing U.S. interests to build the canal.Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
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The toymaker also licenses brands from companies like Disney and Universal Studios.Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The ruling family accepted an offer for humanitarian asylum from Russian President Vladimir Putin.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Dec. 2024
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While 82% of senior executives feel accepted at work, according to Korn Ferry, only 63% of individual contributors share this feeling.Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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