Synonyms for legalize
Most common
All synonyms
Verb
1. Decriminalize
decriminalize UK US, decriminalise UK, legitimate, legitimize, legitimise UK, legitimatise
Definitions
- v. 1
To make legal or permit under law. Either by decriminalising something that has been illegal or by specifically permitting it.
There is a debate whether or not to legalize some of the softer drugs.
Related words
- Other spellings
- legalise UK
Forms
- Past participle
- legalized
e.g. legalized → decriminalized, legitimated, legitimized, legitimatised…
Example sentences
- legitimize Certain things are easier to legalize than legitimize.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| legalize | falling | |
| legitimize | rising | |
| legitimatise | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 7 letters
- license2, licence2
- 8 letters
- sanction2
- 9 letters
- authorize3, authorise
- 10 letters
- legitimate4, legitimize4, legitimise
- 12 letters
- legitimatise
- 13 letters
- decriminalize5, decriminalise
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (license2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- légaliser
- Italiano
- legalizzare
- Deutsch
- beglaubigen