criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty
ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
2
: criminal activity
urban criminality
Examples of criminality in a Sentence
a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
In turn, episodes of fraud and misconduct in small local governments don’t always surface publicly unless criminal charges are filed – and problems short of criminality may be kept quiet.
—
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
The department has since played the role of overseer in the investigation, and reserves the right to take over again in the event of potential criminality.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025
This terminology has become commonplace among Russian officials and police officers who associate criminality with non-Slavic-looking migrants.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2024
The catalyzing incident here is the disappearance of a teen girl, which of course turns into a much larger investigation of more widespread and depraved criminality, as these cases always do on TV.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminality 
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Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
The department has since played the role of overseer in the investigation, and reserves the right to take over again in the event of potential criminality.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025
This terminology has become commonplace among Russian officials and police officers who associate criminality with non-Slavic-looking migrants.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2024
The catalyzing incident here is the disappearance of a teen girl, which of course turns into a much larger investigation of more widespread and depraved criminality, as these cases always do on TV.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminality
Dictionary Entries Near criminality
Cite this Entry
“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty
ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
can't understand the criminality of his act
2
: crime sense 3
violent criminality
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