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
The Persons and Family Code law, making Burkina Faso the latest in a series of African countries to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activity, also tightens rules on nationality and stateless people.
—
CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Trump can't criminalize flag burning.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
In Thailand, a sedition law is frequently abused—alongside the draconian lèse-majesté law that criminalizes insulting royalty.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
But opponents argued the change would only further criminalize homeless people and eliminate one of the safest places in Sacramento for those without shelter.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Trump can't criminalize flag burning.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
In Thailand, a sedition law is frequently abused—alongside the draconian lèse-majesté law that criminalizes insulting royalty.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
But opponents argued the change would only further criminalize homeless people and eliminate one of the safest places in Sacramento for those without shelter.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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Reuters — Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament passed legislation outlawing conduct deemed to promote LGBTQ practices, introducing fines, prison sentences and sanctions for persons convicted, its justice minister said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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In other words, the maps may have been outlawed — but their consequences are still being lived.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There are caveats, however, and many sports teams around the state have policies explicitly banning the practice.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, multiple reports indicated that North Carolina’s general manager Michael Lombardi and pro liaison Frantzy Jourdain informed their own team last month that the scouts were banned.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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