to legalize
- verb
- /ˈliːɡəˌlaɪz/
- US
- I wanted to get abortion legalized across the country.
- legalize same-sex marriage
- legalize gambling
- legalize or decriminalize
If cocaine were legalized, it would be worthless.
- If cocaine were legalized, it would be worthless.
- We need everyone to vote to legalize marijuana recreationally.
- What do you think about the idea of legalizing drugs?
- And, and oh, didn't Holland legalize like heroin or something?
- Should we be legalizing marijuana, which in my view we should?
- So should in your view, all drugs be legalized?
- Why not legalize it then You could legalize it.
- Well, it ends up like this money in the pockets of politicians who then legalize alcohol.
- For one thing, countries like New Zealand, Australia, and the UK very nearly legalized it.
- As if the Union Democrats wanted to legalize work, right?
Examples
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In Washington State, 55.4% voted to "legalize the production, distribution, and possession of marijuana, and establish regulations."
Academic text (2012) -
We were the first state to legalize gay marriage by law.
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We're going to legalize physical and online gambling.
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So this story is about a campaign to legalize flying cars in New York, LA and Austin.
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And he signed legislation legalizing same sex marriage.
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National news headlines blared the ruling: Iowa becomes the first Midwestern state to legalize gay marriage.
Academic text (2011) -
Nations such as the Netherlands, which have legalized prostitution, appear to have become magnets for traffickers.
Academic text (2008) -
The government plans to legalize recreational marijuana use next year.
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Many advocates are working to legalize sports betting across the country.
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This new bill aims to legalize the sale of medical cannabis in hospitals.
Synonyms
To make something legal or officially accepted
To make something legal or accepted by law
Make something legal by official approval
Antonyms
How Legal
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word legalize is built from legal, which is about 'law', and the ending -ize, which means 'make'. So to legalize something is to 'make it legal' or 'allow it by law'.