criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty
ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
2
: criminal activity
urban criminality
Examples of criminality in a Sentence
a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
Brain imaging studies of criminality going back to 2009 have suggested that damage to a swath of white matter called the right uncinate fasciculus is somehow involved when people commit violent acts.
—
Christopher M. Filley, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
The government, along with much of purple and red America, pound the message that ICE in Minnesota is all about state corruption and criminality.
—Ed Bok Lee, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Raymond Ratzel, 43, is charged with nine counts of burglary of a building or dwelling, all as a habitual criminality repeater.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Always defined by someone else’s criminality.
—Gloria Calderon Kellett, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminality
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Christopher M. Filley, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
The government, along with much of purple and red America, pound the message that ICE in Minnesota is all about state corruption and criminality.
—Ed Bok Lee, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Raymond Ratzel, 43, is charged with nine counts of burglary of a building or dwelling, all as a habitual criminality repeater.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Always defined by someone else’s criminality.
—Gloria Calderon Kellett, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminality
Cite this Entry
“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty
ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
can't understand the criminality of his act
2
: crime sense 3
violent criminality
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