criminalize

verb

crim·​i·​nal·​ize ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce criminalize (audio)
ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz
criminalized; criminalizing

transitive verb

: to make illegal
also : to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal
criminalization
ˌkri-mə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce criminalize (audio)
ˌkrim-nə-lə-ˈzā-
noun

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 The Missouri House Special Committee on Public Policy held a hearing on Wednesday over a bill filed by Rep. Mazzie Christensen, a Bethany Republican, that could criminalize individuals who perform in drag shows held on public property. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Assange, who is Australian, is the first publisher to be charged by the U.S. government under the Espionage Act, and many press freedom groups have argued that his prosecution is intended to criminalize journalism. Landon Mion, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2024 Businesses and journalists fear that broad provisions on state secrets could criminalize their day to day work. Kanis Leung, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024 The bill, which was introduced in the parliament in 2021, not only criminalizes LGBTQ relationships, but also those who support LGBTQ rights. David McKenzie, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 According to the organization, 94 countries still criminalize HIV. Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Presently, Senate Bill 1231 and House bills 2821 and 2748 propose criminalizing the entry of undocumented immigrants outside lawful ports of entry at the southern Arizona border, empowering local judges to adjudicate immigration cases. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 Oftentimes, Point-in-Time count organizers tell volunteers to avoid dark alleys, underpasses and parks for their own safety – but people experiencing homelessness are likely to stay in those places, especially in areas with laws criminalizing homelessness, advocates say. Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2024 During her gubernatorial run that year, Lake voiced strong support for Arizona’s Civil War-era law that criminalized the procedure for doctors. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'criminalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

circa 1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminalize was circa 1956

Dictionary Entries Near criminalize

Cite this Entry

“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

criminalize

transitive verb
crim·​i·​nal·​ize ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce criminalize (audio)
criminalized; criminalizing
: to make criminal : outlaw
the statute criminalizing the use of contraceptivesR. H. Bork
compare illegalize
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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