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

• 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

All this acrimony stemmed from a case where Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis spectacularly whiffed while attempting to criminalize rap lyrics and super glue the misdeeds of everyone Thug and Gunna knew onto them. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025

But in 2024, Anutin, who in the meantime assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior within the new government, announced that the Thai government was planning to regulate cannabis without re-criminalizing it for recreational use, as initially planned. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

This year, state lawmakers passed a law criminalizing local officials who cast votes for any kind of sanctuary policy. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025

Gorgeous added that, rather than criminalizing trans kids who steal, or tattling on them, people should be looking for ways to help them. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 3 Sep. 2025

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