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
Read more: Judge blocks Florida law criminalizing transport of undocumented immigrants into state
The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested at least 11 people under the statute, with additional arrests likely in local jurisdictions.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
Though Bolivia criminalized violence against women in 2013, critics say the government has not dedicated enough resources to reduce the risk.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2024
However, 54% of Americans oppose legislation that criminalizes providing medical care for gender transition to minors.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024
For example, after Western countries condemned Uganda and Nigeria for criminalizing homosexuality in 2014, rights groups reported a spike in human rights violations against LGBTQ people in those two countries.
—Rochelle Terman, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 23 May 2024
Though Bolivia criminalized violence against women in 2013, critics say the government has not dedicated enough resources to reduce the risk.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2024
However, 54% of Americans oppose legislation that criminalizes providing medical care for gender transition to minors.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024
For example, after Western countries condemned Uganda and Nigeria for criminalizing homosexuality in 2014, rights groups reported a spike in human rights violations against LGBTQ people in those two countries.
—Rochelle Terman, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize
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.
Dictionary Entries Near criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
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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