Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

criminalism

noun
crim·​i·​nal·​ism | \ ˈkrimənᵊlˌizəm, -mnəˌli-\
plural -s

Definition of criminalism

: the tendency to criminality also : habitual criminality

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of criminalism

1866, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for criminalism

probably from French criminalisme, from Late Latin criminalis criminal + French -isme -ism

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about criminalism

Share criminalism

Statistics for criminalism

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for criminalism

The first known use of criminalism was in 1866

See more words from the same year

Comments on criminalism

What made you want to look up criminalism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

prestigious

esteemed in general opinion

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

What did you just call me?! A Quiz

  • rows-of-various-emoji
  • If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games