as in to outlaw
to make or declare contrary to the law
wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations
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Recent Examples of criminalize
Local jurisdictions now have the authority to enforce ordinances that criminalize behaviors associated with being unhoused — like sleeping on public property — even when no shelter is available.
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Jessica Boehm, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The delayed care occurred in the aftermath of a new state law that criminalized performing the procedure to remove fetal tissue from the uterus with few exceptions, legislation that reproductive-rights advocates said could scare away doctors from performing the surgery for fear of prosecution.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2024
Between the lines: Last year, Gloria also successfully pushed the city council to adopt a broad prohibition on camping in public to combat homeless encampments, angering the city's progressive base by criminalizing homelessness.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Public awareness of the harms caused by criminalizing marijuana grew, and so too did a movement to raise awareness about the medicinal benefits of its use, especially for chemotherapy and cancer parents, who found marijuana use helpful for combatting nausea.
—Marin Cogan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
Jessica Boehm, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The delayed care occurred in the aftermath of a new state law that criminalized performing the procedure to remove fetal tissue from the uterus with few exceptions, legislation that reproductive-rights advocates said could scare away doctors from performing the surgery for fear of prosecution.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2024
Between the lines: Last year, Gloria also successfully pushed the city council to adopt a broad prohibition on camping in public to combat homeless encampments, angering the city's progressive base by criminalizing homelessness.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
Public awareness of the harms caused by criminalizing marijuana grew, and so too did a movement to raise awareness about the medicinal benefits of its use, especially for chemotherapy and cancer parents, who found marijuana use helpful for combatting nausea.
—Marin Cogan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize
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Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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