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 United Kingdom plans to bring into force a law that criminalizes the creation of non-consensual sexualized images, including through Grok, the chatbot within Elon Musk’s X application, following the app’s deepfake scandal of the last few weeks.
—
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
In 2024, South Korea criminalized watching or producing deepfake pornography.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
In England at least, it’s now criminalized.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2026
Additionally, in February 2024, owning an XL bully without an exemption certificate was criminalized, per the BBC.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
In 2024, South Korea criminalized watching or producing deepfake pornography.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
In England at least, it’s now criminalized.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2026
Additionally, in February 2024, owning an XL bully without an exemption certificate was criminalized, per the BBC.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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But some lawmakers in the State Affairs Committee bristled at the idea of outlawing all city and county flags.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
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Chicago aldermen approved a sweeping ban outlawing unlicensed businesses in the city from selling all but a few hemp products.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This past fall, there were reports that the Justice Department was considering proposals to ban trans people from purchasing guns.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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Morrell said that the city cannot ban data center developments permanently without a definition.—
Aliana Mediratta,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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