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
Following the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that gave local and state governments greater power to criminalize sleeping and camping in public spaces, Newsom unveiled a model ordinance designed to require people living in public spaces to relocate or face arrest.
—
Philip Wang, Time, 9 June 2026
The word also figured heavily in the Alien and Sedition Acts, a set of four 18th century laws that restricted citizenship, expanded the president’s authority to detain and deport foreigners, and criminalized dissenting speech.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
The investigation unveiled last fall shows the different ends of the spectrum in how sports can be turned and potentially criminalized.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Along with Jim Crow laws that criminalized Blackness, the loophole allowed for the legal re-enslavement of Black Americans to financially benefit the state.
—Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
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Philip Wang, Time, 9 June 2026
The word also figured heavily in the Alien and Sedition Acts, a set of four 18th century laws that restricted citizenship, expanded the president’s authority to detain and deport foreigners, and criminalized dissenting speech.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
The investigation unveiled last fall shows the different ends of the spectrum in how sports can be turned and potentially criminalized.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Along with Jim Crow laws that criminalized Blackness, the loophole allowed for the legal re-enslavement of Black Americans to financially benefit the state.
—Julia Bowling, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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
