criminalize
verb
crim·i·nal·ize
ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz
criminalized; criminalizing
: to make illegal
also
: to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal
Examples of criminalize in a Sentence
a law that criminalized alcohol
wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations
Recent Examples on the Web
Philippine law criminalizes public remarks that may constitute a crime of threatening to inflict a wrong on a person or his family, which is punishable by jail time and a fine.
—
Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024
Taking additional safety precautions in the face of a second Trump presidency, which is sure to further criminalize women’s and trans healthcare, is a smart idea, too.
—Maria Yagoda, TIME, 20 Nov. 2024
The plan is to criminalize certain high-tech devices.
—Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
The spokesperson for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) condemned the use of the NSL to criminalize activities which are protected under international human rights law, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024
Taking additional safety precautions in the face of a second Trump presidency, which is sure to further criminalize women’s and trans healthcare, is a smart idea, too.
—Maria Yagoda, TIME, 20 Nov. 2024
The plan is to criminalize certain high-tech devices.
—Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
The spokesperson for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) condemned the use of the NSL to criminalize activities which are protected under international human rights law, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize
Dictionary Entries Near criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
criminalize
transitive verb
crim·i·nal·ize
ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz
criminalized; criminalizing
: to make criminal : outlaw
the statute criminalizing the use of contraceptives—R. H. Bork
compare illegalize
R. H. BorkLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share