LEGALIZED Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

legalized 1 of 2

adjective

as in legal

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legalized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of legalize

as in sanctioned

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

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Dissimilar Words

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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 legalized

Verb

This is about protecting game integrity and consumers—just like legalized sports betting. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Since 2018, several states have legalized online sports betting. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026 North Carolina has not legalized either medical or recreational marijuana, but many of the edibles Hohns makes are more potent than what’s available in states that have. — Gene Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 North Carolina has not legalized either medical or recreational marijuana, but many of the edibles Hohns makes are more potent than what's available in states that have. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 The proposal shares the same name as the 2024 amendment that legalized access to the procedure. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026 The group of alders instead advanced a budget raising revenue by hiking the plastic bag tax, liquor taxes, allowing ads on light poles and city vehicles, and legalized video gambling terminals in the city of Chicago. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 Online betting was legalized in Brazil in 2018 under then-President Michel Temer but remained ‌largely unregulated throughout Jair Bolsonaro’s administration. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026 States that have legalized sports betting derive billions of dollars in revenue from it — even as research shows that gambling disorder diagnoses are skyrocketing in those places. — Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 26 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalized

Adjective

That argument became central to the administration's legal claims that the ballroom must be built.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Some may hesitate to perform CPR because of legal concerns over causing injury—like rib fractures—while administering CPR, but every state has Good Samaritan laws providing protections to people who render emergency aid in good faith.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of legal

Verb

She has never been investigated for malpractice or been sanctioned by the medical board, the records showed.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
The owner of one of the largest natural gas providers in Russia not managed by the state, Mikhelson became one the first individuals to be sanctioned in the UK shortly after the war’s onset.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sanctioned

Adjective

If benefits shrink or get taxed more aggressively down the road (which is a legitimate concern) having a tax-free income source gives you flexibility a pre-tax account simply can’t.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Blake Grupe has kicked for two NFL teams, but never for a legitimate contender.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of legitimate

Verb

However, his family has not been permitted a new in-person visit to independently assess his condition.

— Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
In my view, the root cause is corporate power—the way modern corporations are owned, governed, and permitted to organize markets and politics to their own advantage—and how relentlessly that power has concentrated over the past 50 years.

— Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of permitted

Adjective

Attorney General Blanche has instructed the Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies and practices that facilitate violations of federal law or impede lawful federal operations, the department said.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Minors can also temporarily possess firearms for lawful reasons, such as hunting or target practice.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of lawful

Verb

Patients complete an online survey covering their skin concerns, history, current routine and goals, which is reviewed by a clinician licensed in their state.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia defended calling herself a lawyer, even though she is not licensed to be an attorney at law.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of licensed

Verb

Open Doors officials requested accommodation for a 40-person group-living facility at the site, where such facilities are normally not allowed under city rules.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
The Gators figured out something on defense Florida arrived in Austin ranked last among 16 SEC teams in yards allowed, 15th in points allowed and third-down conversion rate, and 13th in plays of 20 yards or more yielded.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of allowed

Verb

Any change would ultimately have to be approved by the voters, something Loy acknowledged could be difficult after Republicans’ recent losses at the ballot box.

— Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026
Meiner is pushing the city to work with other Florida mayors to advocate directly with the state legislature to possibly amend or repeal the Live Local Act, which was approved Wednesday night.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of approved

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“Legalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalized. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legalized

adjective

verb

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