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

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively criminalized what until then had been legal cannabis. — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Street vendors rallied outside Oakland City Hall Thursday, accusing the city of criminalizing people who are trying to earn a living as officials step up enforcement against unpermitted vending. — Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Leno said the bill ensures classic car owners aren’t criminalized for driving their vehicles on a limited basis. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Her lobbying resulted in legislation which surely was good for society—for instance, the 1978 Protection of Children Act, which criminalized child pornography. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 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