as in legal
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as in sanctioned
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Recent Examples of legalized
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
It's been five years since New York legalized recreational marijuana.
—Ali Bauman, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
So far, 24 states and the District of Columbia have fully legalized recreational marijuana for adults, allowing adults aged 21 and older to possess, use and, in most cases, cultivate small amounts of cannabis, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
—Liz Neporent, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Those federal barriers remained in place even as roughly half of states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and even more have approved it for medical use.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
But many states have legalized marijuana — both medical (40) and recreational (24).
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Relatedly, another study published Friday in JAMA Network Open found that rates of adolescent cannabis use increased after recreational use was legalized in California, but decreased after the Covid pandemic.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
FanDuel’s core sportsbook app averages 4 million monthly users across 25 states where sports betting has been legalized, according to Genetski.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
It's been five years since New York legalized recreational marijuana.
—Ali Bauman, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
So far, 24 states and the District of Columbia have fully legalized recreational marijuana for adults, allowing adults aged 21 and older to possess, use and, in most cases, cultivate small amounts of cannabis, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
—Liz Neporent, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Those federal barriers remained in place even as roughly half of states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and even more have approved it for medical use.
—Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
But many states have legalized marijuana — both medical (40) and recreational (24).
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Relatedly, another study published Friday in JAMA Network Open found that rates of adolescent cannabis use increased after recreational use was legalized in California, but decreased after the Covid pandemic.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
FanDuel’s core sportsbook app averages 4 million monthly users across 25 states where sports betting has been legalized, according to Genetski.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Two states — Oregon and Colorado — have legalized psychedelic therapy with psilocybin.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized
Adjective
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Issue One, an advocacy group tracking redistricting nationwide, said changing maps for 2026 could be difficult because many states have already held primaries and legal challenges would place significant obstacles before the general election.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Other states have to confront the unprecedented possibility of revising maps even as voters are casting ballots or the legal process of declaring intent to run for office has concluded.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Oviedo went 15-8 in 2008 and reached the state semifinal round in the first year that lacrosse was sanctioned as a state championship sport by the FHSAA.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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Ukraine, which also returns to the Venice Biennale this year, has sanctioned five individuals associated with the Russian pavilion and has lobbied to have the participants’ visas revoked.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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While living in Dubai, Kinahan presented himself as a legitimate boxing promoter.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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As noted, city marshals, deputy sheriffs, the NYPD and a legitimate judicial order of eviction were involved.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2009, after petitioning the court to have her ailing father placed under a conservatorship, Catherine was permitted to visit Peter Falk, who was suffering from dementia.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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Don't ask for selfies with royals and don't take close‑up photos of them unless you're explicitly permitted.—
Veronica Bravo,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Should Citizenship and Immigration Services approve it, Juan will be able to seek lawful permanent residency.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Tolbert wrote that officers may ask about immigration status during lawful detentions or arrests, work with federal immigration authorities, and share immigration‑status information.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Historically, the company only designed and licensed chips to other companies, including Nvidia , Amazon , and Apple .—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
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Hire a few contractors who are licensed who can do plumbing and electrical work.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Soriano allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks in five innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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If catchers, pitchers, or hitters believed an umpire missed a call, they were suddenly allowed to challenge it.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Edward Burke — then seized control of City Council and approved a new lineup of committee chairs and leaders.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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The California Coastal Commission this month approved the land use amendment that would allow housing to be built on the southern parcel of the property — along with other areas within the city —to help add nearly 4,845 units to Newport Beach’s housing inventory.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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