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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Example Sentences

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 Rantzen was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2023 and went on to become a prominent campaigner for legalizing assisted dying in the UK. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 The day after Markey’s death, the Illinois law legalizing MAID took effect. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 The British Parliament has voted against legalizing assisted suicide services for adults, successfully blocking a bill that was filibustered out of time before the April recess. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026 Bass proposed legalizing vacation rentals in her budget this year, though the proposal was removed from the budget by the City Council. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Its Supreme Court has rejected draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews and overturned a law legalizing settler homes built on private Palestinian land. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalizing
  1. sanctioning
  2. permitting
  3. allowing
  4. approving
  5. licensing
  6. enabling
Verb
  • In addition to sanctioning Brito and Epstein, Williams also ordered a copy of her order to be sent to the New York State Bar Association, of which acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is a member.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Tony Forte, president of USAngling, the sanctioning body, said the tournament will be a showcase to persuade the International Olympic Committee to include bass fishing at the Summer Olympics.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of sanctioning
Verb
  • But Chicago still needs better zoning and permitting to jump-start development, such as allowing multifamily buildings on smaller-sized lots.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Hilton proposed cutting permitting costs and building out rather than up.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of permitting
Verb
  • Consequently, allowing road vehicles to utilize red diesel without penalty would effectively function as a temporary tax reduction for diesel consumers.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The entrance to the loft space is flanked by colorful, translucent plastic strips, allowing light and people to easily pass through.
    — Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of allowing
Verb
  • Americans increasingly blame Trump for the high cost of living, with just 17% approving of his handling of the issue, according to a new AP-NORC poll.
    — Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Some of the ads say that the billionaire tax would lead to a decline in tax revenue, while others claim that the measure will lead to the state legislature approving wealth taxes on non-billionaires.
    — Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of approving
Verb
  • The brand licensing company has privately discussed an offer that could value Mattel at more than $20 per share, or about $6 billion, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
    — Maggie Roth, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Bipartisan proposals in the Pennsylvania House and Senate would preserve the industry by licensing the machines and charging operators fees while limiting most establishments to five machines.
    — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of licensing
Verb
  • The aerospace company, led by Elon Musk, struck a deal to acquire a nationwide low-band spectrum that will advance Starlink’s wireless capabilities by enabling the signal to pass through walls and other obstacles.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Google, Visa, and Mastercard are building systems enabling AI agents to make payments and access credentials like credit cards.
    — Caryn Seidman Becker, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of enabling

Browse Nearby Words

legalizes
legalizing
legally
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Cite this Entry

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

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