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

Synonyms

• crime

Examples of criminality in a Sentence

a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Now, the three branches of government are under Republican control, enabled and empowered by a fact-free MAGA narrative in which the rhetoric around immigration is synonymous with violent criminality. —Jose Antonio Vargas, Time, 4 July 2025

Australia has denied entry to multiple individuals over the years, citing concerns over character, criminality and hate speech. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

Despite enforcement efforts, San Diego struggles with a crisis rooted in housing affordability, not criminality. —Mahdi E Diab, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025

The messaging was offensive, reductive, and rooted in centuries-old racist tropes linking Black Americans to criminality and drug use. —Wanda James, Denver Post, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ity, perhaps after French criminalité

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for criminality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality
• illegality

Legal 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