criminalize
verb
crim·i·nal·ize
ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz
criminalized; criminalizing
: to make illegal
also
: to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal
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
India criminalizes most cannabis products but makes a unique exception for bhang, an edible made from cannabis leaves.
—
Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
As a result, the new international legal architecture curbed starvation tactics in interstate wars and during occupations but stopped short of fully criminalizing the weapon, particularly when used by poorer states against insurgent groups in civil wars.
—Boyd Van Dijk, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2025
The European Union with this decision became the first international body to criminalize the most serious cases of environmental damage.
—Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
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.
Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
As a result, the new international legal architecture curbed starvation tactics in interstate wars and during occupations but stopped short of fully criminalizing the weapon, particularly when used by poorer states against insurgent groups in civil wars.
—Boyd Van Dijk, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2025
The European Union with this decision became the first international body to criminalize the most serious cases of environmental damage.
—Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
R. H. BorkLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share