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
The solution, then, was simple: criminalize the activity, and prevent these private American entities from single-handedly detonating American foreign policy.
—
Casey Michel, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
During the course of the lengthy debate, several conservative House members essentially accused Phelan of attempting to criminalize satire because the bill would make the failure to disclose such images as being doctored a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry jail time of up to a year.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Advocates argue that the change would only further criminalize homeless people.
—Mathew Miranda
july 28, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2025
Hungary has enacted some of the world's most restrictive cryptocurrency legislation, forcing major fintech companies to suspend services and potentially criminalizing digital asset trading for hundreds of thousands of citizens.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
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Casey Michel, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2025
During the course of the lengthy debate, several conservative House members essentially accused Phelan of attempting to criminalize satire because the bill would make the failure to disclose such images as being doctored a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry jail time of up to a year.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Advocates argue that the change would only further criminalize homeless people.
—Mathew Miranda
july 28, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2025
Hungary has enacted some of the world's most restrictive cryptocurrency legislation, forcing major fintech companies to suspend services and potentially criminalizing digital asset trading for hundreds of thousands of citizens.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 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 21 Aug. 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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