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
But since New Mexico legalized recreational pot in 2021 El Pasoans can simply cross the state line and find some 20 upscale dispensaries in the city of Sunland Park.
—
John Burnett, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
In recent decades, marijuana became far more accessible as 39 states sanctioned its medical use and 24 states legalized recreational weed.
—Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
The 2018 federal Farm Bill and companion legislation passed in Tennessee legalized hemp and its derivatives and distinguished the crop from marijuana.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
To take an easy example, while federal law may prohibit the use, possession and sale of marijuana, California can and has created laws legalizing cannabis within our state, and, while complications come with that dichotomy, weed legalization here has occurred with relatively few problems.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legalize 
John Burnett, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
In recent decades, marijuana became far more accessible as 39 states sanctioned its medical use and 24 states legalized recreational weed.
—Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
The 2018 federal Farm Bill and companion legislation passed in Tennessee legalized hemp and its derivatives and distinguished the crop from marijuana.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
To take an easy example, while federal law may prohibit the use, possession and sale of marijuana, California can and has created laws legalizing cannabis within our state, and, while complications come with that dichotomy, weed legalization here has occurred with relatively few problems.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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Millions of them file tax returns every year, paying for benefits they're not permitted to use.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
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At the same time, then-President Joe Biden eased American sanctions on Syria, allowing humanitarian groups to operate in the country and permitting energy sales.—
Warren P. Strobel,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The judge held Giuliani in contempt the week before last and sanctioned him for failing to turn over relevant documentation on time.—
Molly Crane Newman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Jan. 2025
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Four ranchers were sanctioned with fines after investigations.—
Ian Max Stevenson,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Rather than allow the restriction to play out, and perhaps have the platform stagger on for a few more weeks or months, TikTok decided to proactively take away access a little early.—
Kyle Chayka,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
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That order would also establish a bitcoin reserve, allowing the federal government to buy and sell the crypto.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Focolare History The Focolare Movement, founded by Italian schoolteacher Chiara Lubich in the 1940s, was approved by the Catholic Church in the 1960s.—
Lisa Ling,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2025
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The move requires health agencies to have all external communications approved by a presidential appointee before issuing them and is expected to last through the end of January, CNN reported.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When those conditions change, the chemicals are not strong enough to enable them to actually withstand the enormous pressures and the enormous changes that have happened.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Jan. 2025
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The prospect of low oil prices will enable the Fed to dial back its fight against inflation and bring down interest rates, Trump said.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Trump has long licensed out his name to sell everything from steaks to condos to real estate courses, such as at the now-defunct Trump University.—
Michelle Conlin and Tom Wilson,
USA TODAY,
23 Jan. 2025
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An early obstacle was the refusal by the estate of Maxwell Anderson, who had acquired the rights to the novel and wrote the 1954 play, to license the story to Mr. Paley and Mr. Laird.—
Richard Sandomir,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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That gets answered easily, because there is always a Producer – the same person who should be accepting the Oscar for Best Picture should the movie win that accolade.—
Cathy Schulman,
Deadline,
25 Jan. 2025
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Hauser & Wirth have an outpost here, and Koller Auctions, the leading Swiss auction house accepts consignments at any time.—
Alexandra Cheney,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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