decriminalize
verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
(ˌ)dē-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
-ˈkrim-nəl-
decriminalized; decriminalizing; decriminalizes
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
especially
: to repeal a strict ban on while keeping under some form of regulation
decriminalize the possession of marijuana
Examples of decriminalize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Salzman died in 2018, the year before Denver became the first city in the U.S. to decriminalize psilocybin.
—
Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Mayor Adams vetoed a City Council bill late Wednesday that would decriminalize unlicensed street vending in the five boroughs, teeing up a likely override battle with the chamber’s Democratic members, who accused the mayor of playing into President Trump’s immigration agenda.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued six cities — including Austin, San Marcos and Elgin — for their policies to decriminalize cannabis.
—Aaron Sullivan, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Although cannabis has been decriminalized in Thailand, where Shaw allegedly ordered the candies from, since 2024, Indonesia has some of the world’s strictest drug laws, according to the AP.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for decriminalize
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Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Mayor Adams vetoed a City Council bill late Wednesday that would decriminalize unlicensed street vending in the five boroughs, teeing up a likely override battle with the chamber’s Democratic members, who accused the mayor of playing into President Trump’s immigration agenda.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued six cities — including Austin, San Marcos and Elgin — for their policies to decriminalize cannabis.
—Aaron Sullivan, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Although cannabis has been decriminalized in Thailand, where Shaw allegedly ordered the candies from, since 2024, Indonesia has some of the world’s strictest drug laws, according to the AP.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for decriminalize
Cite this Entry
“Decriminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decriminalize. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
decriminalize
transitive verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
dē-ˈkri-mən-ᵊl-ˌīz
decriminalized; decriminalizing
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
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