LEGALIZATION Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

legalization

noun

Definition of legalization

as in validation

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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 legalization And a Federal Reserve Bank of New York study found that credit card delinquencies among sports bettors under 40 jumped 26% after legalization. — Shae Lake, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026 With the legalization of sports betting across multiple states over the past few years, daily fantasy hasn’t been at the forefront quite as much. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Founder Dave Hodges opened a medical-marijuana dispensary in California in 2009, before legalization. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Months before the Ceuta crisis, his government had carried out a migrant legalization push. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The letter asks for broader protections from the other 35 states and the District of Columbia, which do not have similar laws or protections in place since the Supreme Court paved the way for gambling legalization in 2018. — Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 The letter asks for broader protections from the other 35 states and District of Columbia, which do not have similar laws or protections in place since the Supreme Court paved the way for gambling legalization in 2018. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 Athletes across sports have increasingly spoken out about harassment and threats received by bettors who lost money, as sports betting has surged since the Supreme Court paved the way for widespread legalization in 2018. — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 As legalization makes more edibles and other cannabis products available, young children are more likely to find and consume them in their own homes. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalization

Noun

The validation came about two and a half years in, when Darlington put a prototype in front of the board.

— Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Difficult-to-reverse decisions also need strong controls, such as human review, deterministic rules, a traditional model or another independent validation mechanism.

— Swati Deepak Kumar, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of validation

Noun

Acknowledging that most civil law now permits legitimization after the fact, some jurisdictions still discriminate against a child born out of wedlock.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
Live Aid was the final step in the legitimization of MTV.

— tom freston, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025

Definition of legitimization

Noun

In this way, modern Druidry represents an example of how practitioners of new religious movements look to the distant past as a source for meaning, inspiration, and legitimation.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
In August 2025, attorneys filed an emergency petition for legitimation and custody in DeKalb County Superior Court.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

Definition of legitimation

Noun

The White House has formally sent Congress proposed legislation that would impose mandatory minimum sentences on those convicted of fraud involving federal benefit programs, according to a copy of it seen by Semafor.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Lawmakers also have to make sure legislation applies to large employers with health plans that are governed by federal law.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of legislation

Noun

During his decade at the house, Vaccarello’s conduct both reflected and amplified some of the patterns first sketched by the house’s great founding designer.

— Luke Leitch, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
In between these interviews are glimpses of the occasional Israeli news media snippet and at one point an archival reminder of the circumstances of Tel Aviv’s founding.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of founding

Noun

The area might feel a bit buttoned-up and corporate for vacationers, but those in Abu Dhabi for work will be within a stone's throw of some of the city's best power-lunch and expense-account-dinner establishments.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The disappearance of those letters—which would last for half a century—aided in the literary establishment’s attempts to paint Robin as the madwoman in the attic of Plath studies.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of establishment

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“Legalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalization. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalization

noun

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