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legalize

[ lee-guh-lahyz ]
/ ˈli gəˌlaɪz /
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See synonyms for: legalize / legalized / legalization on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), le·gal·ized, le·gal·iz·ing.
to make legal; authorize.
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Also especially British, le·gal·ise .

Origin of legalize

First recorded in 1710–20; legal + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM legalize

le·gal·i·za·tion, nounun·le·gal·ized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to legalize

approve, authorize, codify, constitute, decriminalize, enact, permit, regulate, decree, formulate, launder, legislate, legitimate, legitimatize, license, ordain, sanction, clean up

How to use legalize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for legalize

legalize

legalise

/ (ˈliːɡəˌlaɪz) /
verb (tr)
to make lawful or legal
to confirm or validate (something previously unlawful)

Derived forms of legalize

legalization or legalisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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