legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
As marijuana continues to be legalized throughout the U.S., more products that look, smell, taste and feel like marijuana are popping in states where the psychoactive drug isn't officially legal.
—
Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
As more states legalize cannabis, the variety and quality of edibles have improved dramatically.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Aside from being a trending alternative to normal alcoholic beverages, the popularity of the trend can also be attributed to a number of places legalizing it.
—Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
In 2015, the court agreed with the plaintiffs, in a 4–2 decision, and killed the investigation, retroactively legalizing coördination.
—Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
As more states legalize cannabis, the variety and quality of edibles have improved dramatically.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Aside from being a trending alternative to normal alcoholic beverages, the popularity of the trend can also be attributed to a number of places legalizing it.
—Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
In 2015, the court agreed with the plaintiffs, in a 4–2 decision, and killed the investigation, retroactively legalizing coördination.
—Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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