criminality

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being criminal

2

: criminal activity

urban criminality

Synonyms of criminality

• crime

Examples of criminality in a Sentence

a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers

Recent Examples on the Web

The shootings in South Africa are mostly connected to criminality, rather than ideological motive or personal grievance. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

This allows the industry to continue to profit from criminality no matter the astronomical amount of fraud committed. — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

They will be tasked with assigning a value to a human life in the absence of criminality or gross negligence, a tricky job made harder by vast disagreements between the two sides over how to measure loss. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

President Joe Biden’s administration shows that attempts to turn the page on fascist criminality without imposing stiff legal consequences will only result in the far right coming back stronger and more radicalized. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ity, perhaps after French criminalité

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for criminality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality
• illegality

Legal Definition

criminality

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being criminal

can't understand the criminality of his act

2

: crime sense 3

violent criminality