as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of legalize
Sports gambling was legalized in Missouri late last year, but the permitting process is still playing out and sportsbooks aren't live yet.
—
Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Florida is one of 15 states that legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes but has yet to decriminalize recreational use.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Feb. 2025
At that point, Colorado and Oregon had yet to legalize psilocybin use, but interest in the drugs as mental health aids was growing.
—Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
There is still hope for a few states to legalize sports wagering in 2025.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Florida is one of 15 states that legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes but has yet to decriminalize recreational use.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Feb. 2025
At that point, Colorado and Oregon had yet to legalize psilocybin use, but interest in the drugs as mental health aids was growing.
—Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
There is still hope for a few states to legalize sports wagering in 2025.
—Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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In participating in those extreme acts, Saha said, people fall victim to a group psychology that both permits and encourages more extreme behavior.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The permitting process has sparked fighting in the Charlotte region over the years between farmers who say the sludge is a cost-effective fertilizer and residents concerned about the potential health and environmental impacts.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Keep in mind, again, that being granted Division 1 sanctioning by U.S. Soccer is more accurately a recognition of a league’s baseline operating standards than an assessment of its competitive mettle.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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In the first instance, governing body World Athletics would have to radically change its policy towards transgender women competing in female categories, enabling Telfer to race in events sanctioned by the organization.—
Amanda Davies, Aleks Klosok and George Ramsay,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Instagram launched in 2010 and quickly became one of the most influential social media platforms, allowing users to share photos and videos with their followers.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
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Watch how early Carson Cooper points to the rim here: And here against Purdue, which allowed Sparty to dunk 10 times: Also relevant: One of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country is 18 of 47 from 3 (38.3 percent) during this winning streak.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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President Trump approved Kentucky's request for a disaster declaration, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts throughout the state.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2025
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If your claim is approved, you should be reimbursed by a direct deposit into your bank account or with a paper check in the mail.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Digital platforms, including mobile apps, chatbots and social media, can enable companies to engage with customers in real time and provide instant responses to queries and concerns.—
Naeem Ghauri,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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Treasury remains committed to disrupting the schemes that enable Iran to send its deadly weapons abroad to its terrorist proxies and other destabilizing actors.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The deal commences with Lionsgate’s 2026 theatrical releases and also includes the studio’s 2025 slate and a commitment for licensing library movies and TV.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
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In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson supports efforts to allow hemp sales while licensing and taxing them.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print. Find more Picture Prompts here.—
The Learning Network,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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For those leading businesses, that’s a challenge worth accepting.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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