legalized

USAGE SUMMARY

"legalized" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that typically means something has been made legal by the government or an authority. Example sentence: The legalization of recreational marijuana has been a controversial topic in many states.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Communist Party of Moldavia until 1990 the only legal party was dissolved in 1991 but was legalized as the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (Partidul Comuniștilor din Republica Moldova; PCRM) in 1994.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several countries that have legalized prostitution, such as the Netherlands and Germany, have engaged in vigorous debates about whether legal prostitution is a voluntarily chosen occupation for many, whether legalization has bettered the circumstances for prostitutes, and whether legalization has been coupled with enhanced enforcement of laws against sex trafficking or other sex crimes.

SEP

During his tenure, extensive environmental legislation passed to protect the Chesapeake Bay, gay marriage was legalized, the minimum wage was raised, the death penalty was abolished and undocumented immigrants were allowed to receive driver's licenses.

The Guardian

Those who want it legalized point to much higher-impact recreation that is allowed in the parks: motorized vehicles in some areas, mountain biking and fishing.

The Guardian - Sport

Rather than act to punish Bush for those actions, the Congress, on a bipartisan basis in 2008, enacted a new, highly diluted Fisa law – the Fisa Amendments Act of 2008 (FAA) – that legalized much of the Bush warrantless NSA program.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since there is no such thing as the right of some men to vote away the rights of others, and no such thing as the right of the government to seize the property of some men for the unearned benefit of others the advocates and supporters of the welfare state are morally guilty of robbing their opponents, and the fact that the robbery is legalized makes it morally worse, not better.

The Economist

As neighbors in the Plaza de Mayo when Francis was plain Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the pair fought viciously over gay marriage, which Ms Fernández legalized in 2010 and Francis called "an attempt to destroy God's plan".

The Economist

Britain has legalized gay marriage after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal stamp of approval.

The New York Times

Those people would be legalized with the same act.

The New York Times

Maryland legalized slot machines at racetracks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Great Britain legalized wagering in 1960.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legalized", ensure you clearly state what has been made legal and by which authority. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Do not use "legalized" without specifying the context (e.g., country, state, or organization) in which something is now legal. Lack of context can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

Legalized functions as a verb in the past tense or past participle form, indicating that a previously unlawful action, substance, or practice has been made legal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as shown in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

35%

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legalized" is a verb form denoting the act of making something lawful, with Ludwig AI confirming its validity and correct usage. Predominantly found in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific sources, its function is to inform about changes in legal status. While generally neutral, the formality can shift based on context. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being legalized and by whom. Remember, understanding the nuances of "legalized" will enhance your writing and communication accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made legal

Directly states the action of bringing something within the bounds of the law.

legitimized

Focuses on making something acceptable or valid.

authorized

Implies granting official permission or approval.

sanctioned

Suggests a formal approval, often by an authority.

validated

Emphasizes confirming the correctness or soundness of something.

permitted

Indicates allowance without necessarily implying formal approval.

enacted into law

Highlights the process of a bill becoming a law.

constitutionalized

Specifically refers to making something part of the constitution.

ratified

Implies formal approval of a treaty, contract, or agreement.

given the green light

An idiomatic expression meaning that permission has been granted for something to proceed.

FAQs

How is "legalized" used in a sentence?

Use "legalized" to indicate that a previously illegal activity or substance has been made lawful. For example, "The state "legalized marijuana" for recreational use".

What's the difference between "legalized" and "authorized"?

"Legalized" means to make something permissible by law, whereas "authorized" implies granting official permission or approval, which may not necessarily involve changing laws.

What can I say instead of "legalized"?

You can use alternatives such as "made legal", "permitted", or "legitimized" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "partially legalized"?

Yes, you can use "partially legalized" to indicate that something is legal under certain conditions or only in specific areas. This implies that the activity is not fully legal across the board.