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
After the protests, Díaz-Canel criminalized criticizing the regime in every sphere of society, including social media.
—
Fabiola Santiago, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Black children are criminalized through all walks of life.
—Monique L. Dixon, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
His government has criminalized fundamental rights, such as peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, while silencing dissent and stifling civil society.
—Tatsiana Kulakevich, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2025
This bill, however, would have criminalized these federally legal products for small businesses while allowing corporate marijuana companies to dominate the market.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
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Fabiola Santiago, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Black children are criminalized through all walks of life.
—Monique L. Dixon, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025
His government has criminalized fundamental rights, such as peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, while silencing dissent and stifling civil society.
—Tatsiana Kulakevich, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2025
This bill, however, would have criminalized these federally legal products for small businesses while allowing corporate marijuana companies to dominate the market.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 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 13 Feb. 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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