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
South Africa, for instance, has a law that bans its citizens from fighting in foreign wars without permission, and may criminalize violators upon their return.
—
Annie Hylton, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025
The law’s opponents, including the ACLU’s Florida chapter, believe it could be used to criminalize bystanders’ actions and shield first responders, including officers, from scrutiny.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the new law is unnecessary, ineffective and will criminalize those with mental illness.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
Black people have for centuries called for more factual reporting that reflects their actual lives, because mainstream news has long criminalized and dehumanized their communities.
—Anita Varma, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
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Annie Hylton, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025
The law’s opponents, including the ACLU’s Florida chapter, believe it could be used to criminalize bystanders’ actions and shield first responders, including officers, from scrutiny.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the new law is unnecessary, ineffective and will criminalize those with mental illness.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
Black people have for centuries called for more factual reporting that reflects their actual lives, because mainstream news has long criminalized and dehumanized their communities.
—Anita Varma, The Conversation, 3 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 18 Jan. 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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