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
The move also essentially splits the market in states that have legalized weed for both medical and recreational consumers. —
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026 Bills to legalize it are pending in about a dozen other states. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 The order does not legalize marijuana for recreational or medical use under federal law, but removes it from the classification of drugs like heroin, MDMA and LSD. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 Animal advocates have long pushed the city to legalize TNR, saying the practice reduces unwarranted litters, euthanasia and shelter intake while improving the health of feral cats. —Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legalize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026 Bills to legalize it are pending in about a dozen other states. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 The order does not legalize marijuana for recreational or medical use under federal law, but removes it from the classification of drugs like heroin, MDMA and LSD. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 Animal advocates have long pushed the city to legalize TNR, saying the practice reduces unwarranted litters, euthanasia and shelter intake while improving the health of feral cats. —Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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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