LEGALIZING Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

legalizing

verb

present participle of legalize

as in sanctioning

to make (something) legal They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.

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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.

Recent Examples of legalizing Last year, the mayor’s office commissioned a report from Christiansen Capitol Advisors LLC on the potential fiscal impacts of legalizing VGT gambling in Chicago. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Two states will vote on ballot measures legalizing marijuana in the November midterms. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Virginia rightfully rejected legalizing online casinos this past spring, recognizing the threat of putting a 24/7 slot machine within arm’s reach of every state resident. — Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 Whether rescheduling, legalizing or restricting marijuana rises in importance remains to be seen. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 Several of the late Sutch’s policies, such as lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 and legalizing commercial radio, were eventually enacted. — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 The findings come as more states are legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 Holscher, in a video outside of a dispensary in Kansas City, made a case for legalizing marijuana for an additional source of revenue for the state, building up the local cannabis industry and for personal freedom. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026 Research suggests that policies legalizing bodily surveillance are not a positive influence for any child in youth sports. — Megan Gandy, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing

Verb

Once that failed to materialize, sanctioning Iran became an end in itself.

— Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
The courts are overdue for sanctioning his frequent abuse of the legal system.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of sanctioning

Verb

Court records show the wrongdoing began when Baldwin Park started permitting cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution in 2017.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The proposal would have streamlined environmental review and permitting for shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing in the Collinsville area, which is central to California Forever.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of permitting

Verb

The company also says the platform is designed to accommodate future battery technology, potentially allowing newer packs to be used with the existing motorcycle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Judge Tony Graf found that state prosecutors had shown probable cause, allowing the case to advance to trial.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of allowing

Verb

The move to Vegas was contingent on the state of Nevada approving $380 million of public funds to the Vegas ballpark project, which happened on June 15, 2023.

— Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The Atlantic Coast Conference joined its peers in the Big 12, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences on Thursday by approving a ban that also covers professional athletes seeking to return to college to play men’s or women’s college basketball.

— Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of approving

Verb

The licensing giant says that the Canadian rapper will continue to own a minority stake in the company and will help shape its creative vision going forward.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Her decision to license her likeness and rights to her books reflects the shifting conversation around AI licensing beyond intellectual property such as characters and catalogues into personalities themselves.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of licensing

Verb

This week, there was a major breakthrough when DNA provided by her sister, Burks, was determined to be a match, enabling investigators to finally identify the 1995 victim as Lydia.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Unlike conventional lithium-ion cells, these batteries replace the liquid electrolyte with a solid ceramic material, potentially enabling higher energy density and improved reliability.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of enabling

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legalizes

legalizing

legally

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“Legalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalizing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalizing

verb

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