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
Police said no criminality was involved in the man’s fall onto the tracks.
—
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Police said no criminality was suspected.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Based on their interpretation of those records and of day care employees’ behavior, the influencers often make far-reaching claims about criminality.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
No criminality is suspected at this time, but the investigation is ongoing, officials said.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
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Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Police said no criminality was suspected.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Based on their interpretation of those records and of day care employees’ behavior, the influencers often make far-reaching claims about criminality.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
No criminality is suspected at this time, but the investigation is ongoing, officials said.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 18 Dec. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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
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