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
Related article California city criminalizes ‘aiding’ and ‘abetting’ homeless camps
One-third of them were in families of at least one adult and one child, the annual survey found, as the number of families with kids experiencing homelessness rose by 39%.
—
Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
The plaintiffs said the rules would serve to criminalize products the legislature has not outlawed, resulting in business closures and layoffs.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
After the protests, Díaz-Canel criminalized criticizing the regime in every sphere of society, including social media.
—Fabiola Santiago, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Black children are criminalized through all walks of life.
—Monique L. Dixon, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
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Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
The plaintiffs said the rules would serve to criminalize products the legislature has not outlawed, resulting in business closures and layoffs.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
After the protests, Díaz-Canel criminalized criticizing the regime in every sphere of society, including social media.
—Fabiola Santiago, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Black children are criminalized through all walks of life.
—Monique L. Dixon, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
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 21 Feb. 2025.
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?
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