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 of criminalize

• 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

So, while there is growing momentum to criminalize ecocide, there are some serious challenges in the path of adding it to the ICC’s Rome Statute. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2026

The most recent federal statute that criminalizes this espionage, passed in the late 1990s, relies heavily on companies self-reporting. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026

Officials also proposed a series of measures, including criminalizing bid rigging. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

The decision has ignited sharp debate across the county, pitting concerns over public safety against warnings that the policy criminalizes homelessness and poverty. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

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