criminalize

crim·i·nal·ize

verb
\ˈkri-mə-n^əl-ˌīz, ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz\

crim·i·nal·izedcrim·i·nal·iz·ing

Definition of CRIMINALIZE

transitive verb

: to make illegal : outlaw; also : to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal

— crim·i·nal·i·za·tion \ˌkri-mə-n^əl-ə-ˈzā-shən, ˌkrim-nə-lə-ˈzā-\ noun

Examples of CRIMINALIZE

1. a law that criminalized alcohol
2. <wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations>

First Known Use of CRIMINALIZE

circa 1956

Related to CRIMINALIZE

Synonyms: illegalize, outlaw

Antonyms: decriminalize, legalize

Related Words: ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, prohibit, proscribe

Near Antonyms: allow, let, permit, suffer; approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction

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