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
Examples of criminality in a Sentence
a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
The data released by ICE also gave an insight into the criminality of the immigrants deported between the end of January and end of July.
—
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Hanson parlayed his small-time criminality into a risky alliance with a powerful Mexican drug lord, intertwining his quest for wealth with the deadly world of organized crime.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
And while many waited to be saved, the television cameras focused on the alleged looting and purported criminality of those simply trying to survive.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
In the list of things money attracts, criminality is one.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminality
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.
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Hanson parlayed his small-time criminality into a risky alliance with a powerful Mexican drug lord, intertwining his quest for wealth with the deadly world of organized crime.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
And while many waited to be saved, the television cameras focused on the alleged looting and purported criminality of those simply trying to survive.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
In the list of things money attracts, criminality is one.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminality
Cite this Entry
“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share