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
The court relied on a 1962 Supreme Court decision that said the Eighth Amendment prevented criminalizing someone’s status, Robinson v. California, specifically regarding the status of being addicted to drugs.
—
Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024
Ziegler said efforts to criminalize abortions in the 1860s were led by physicians who knew exceptions to save a mother's life gave them leeway.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024
Ziegler said efforts to criminalize abortions in the 1860s were led by physicians who knew exceptions to save a mother's life gave them leeway.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'criminalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
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