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

Since then, a total of 25 states have criminalized or banned gender-affirming care for minors. — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 30 June 2026

TaniHub, a case critics say criminalized standard market risk. — Chandra Asmara, Fortune, 30 June 2026

There was a significant risk before the draw took place that Seattle could host nations that criminalize same-sex relations. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Chicago would have been the largest city in the Northern Hemisphere without a bus hub, and Greyhound could have moved its Midwest hub to Indiana where reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare are criminalized. — Lena Guerrero Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 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