criminality

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce criminality (audio)
Synonyms of criminalitynext
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
2
: criminal activity
urban criminality

Synonyms of criminality

Examples of criminality in a Sentence

a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At this point, no arrests have been made and no criminality is suspected by police. Ali Bauman, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025 Investigators have found no criminality in the death of a 32-year-old man who was found unresponsive after riding a roller coaster at Universal's Epic Universe theme park in Florida in September, authorities announced on Thursday. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2025 Nigeria has dismissed accusations of Christian genocide, saying Muslims are as much a victim of armed groups as Christians in the country of 230 million people that has been beset by decades of violence rooted in ethnic, religious and political divisions as well as criminality. Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025 Cryptocurrency has largely managed to remain free of government regulation, and as a result has often become a vehicle for fraud and criminality. Jed S. Rakoff, The New York Review of Books, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for criminality

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ity, perhaps after French criminalité

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminality was in 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

Legal Definition

criminality

noun
crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce criminality (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
can't understand the criminality of his act
2
: crime sense 3
violent criminality
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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