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
Rather than provide meaningful help, many governments have opted to criminalize homelessness instead.
—
Ericka Taylor, NPR, 4 June 2025
Once criminalized, the Gombey is now a symbol of celebration and pride.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025
The Take It Down Act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, also known as NCII.
—Maria Francis, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Giménez called on the administration to avoid criminalizing an entire community.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
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Ericka Taylor, NPR, 4 June 2025
Once criminalized, the Gombey is now a symbol of celebration and pride.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2025
The Take It Down Act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, also known as NCII.
—Maria Francis, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Giménez called on the administration to avoid criminalizing an entire community.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 May 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 7 Jun. 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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