criminalize

verb

crim·​i·​nal·​ize ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 

ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz

criminalized; criminalizing

transitive verb

: to make illegal

also : to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal

criminalization

ˌkri-mə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌkrim-nə-lə-ˈzā-

noun

Synonyms

• outlaw
• ban

Examples of criminalize in a Sentence

a law that criminalized alcohol

wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations

Recent Examples on the Web

On the other hand, a foreign terrorism designation actually criminalizes involvement in terrorist activity. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025

The development of newer blacklist sites clearly reflects a refinement of the use of internet and social media to criminalize support for Palestine. —Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025

The teen was later accused of terrorism, a charge the mission notes is frequently invoked to criminalize protest. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025

Less than a year after UPSIDE Foods and Good Meat celebrated federal approval in 2023, the state legislatures of Florida and Alabama had criminalized the sale of their products, punishable by a misdemeanor. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

circa 1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for criminalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• decentralize
• democratize

Legal Definition

criminalize

transitive verb

crim·​i·​nal·​ize ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 

criminalized; criminalizing

: to make criminal : outlaw

the statute criminalizing the use of contraceptives

—R. H. Bork

compare illegalize

criminalization

ˌkri-mə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌlī- 

noun