criminalize

verb

crim·​i·​nal·​ize ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 

ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz

criminalized; criminalizing

transitive verb

: to make illegal

also : to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal

criminalization

ˌkri-mə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌkrim-nə-lə-ˈzā-

noun

Synonyms

• illegalize
• outlaw

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

To combat such phantoms, Georgian Dream has passed new legislation that criminalizes assembly and protest. —Anastasiya Zavyalova, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025

Questions have been raised about whether the Signal chat violated the Espionage Act, a 1917 law criminalizing unauthorized storage or disclosure of sensitive defense information. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2025

The current application of the law has sparked significant outrage, with critics calling it an overreach that risks unjustly criminalizing a vulnerable community. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025

In practice, this bill will criminalize protest and mask-wearing, enabling dangerous right-wing attacks on our civil rights and endangering public health. —Nikki Morse, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

circa 1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for criminalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• decentralize
• democratize

Legal 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

criminalization

ˌkri-mə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌlī- 

noun