as in to outlaw
to make or declare contrary to the law
wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations
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Recent Examples of criminalize
The Persons and Family Code law, making Burkina Faso the latest in a series of African countries to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activity, also tightens rules on nationality and stateless people.
—
CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Trump can't criminalize flag burning.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
In Thailand, a sedition law is frequently abused—alongside the draconian lèse-majesté law that criminalizes insulting royalty.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
But opponents argued the change would only further criminalize homeless people and eliminate one of the safest places in Sacramento for those without shelter.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Trump can't criminalize flag burning.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
In Thailand, a sedition law is frequently abused—alongside the draconian lèse-majesté law that criminalizes insulting royalty.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
But opponents argued the change would only further criminalize homeless people and eliminate one of the safest places in Sacramento for those without shelter.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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No court has outlawed private-sector diversity, equity, and inclusion.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
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Last year, in response to some political parodies that used images created by artificial intelligence, including one that pilloried Vice President Kamala Harris, the Legislature passed and Newsom signed two measures to outlaw such tomfoolery.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed an executive order banning phones in her state, too.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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The deadline for the popular app to find a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the United States is September 17, after Trump extended it for the third time.—
AFP,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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