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
Iowa lawmakers could advance a bill to the governor's desk as early as next week to criminalize most handheld cellphone use while driving.
—
Jason Clayworth, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
From ending birthright citizenship (14th Amendment) to criminalizing protests (First Amendment), freezing federal spending to dismantling federal agencies (both Article 1), he’s been undeterred by such restrictions on his power.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
The Kaley Avenue facility was viewed as the most viable new homeless shelter proposal in the region – and a critical need after Orange County adopted a ban on camping on public property, a requirement to comply with a new state law many critics say criminalizes homelessness.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
More European countries are likely to follow Spain’s lead and propose new legislation criminalizing the creation or spread of deepfakes.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
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Jason Clayworth, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025
From ending birthright citizenship (14th Amendment) to criminalizing protests (First Amendment), freezing federal spending to dismantling federal agencies (both Article 1), he’s been undeterred by such restrictions on his power.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
The Kaley Avenue facility was viewed as the most viable new homeless shelter proposal in the region – and a critical need after Orange County adopted a ban on camping on public property, a requirement to comply with a new state law many critics say criminalizes homelessness.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
More European countries are likely to follow Spain’s lead and propose new legislation criminalizing the creation or spread of deepfakes.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 28 Mar. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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