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
Earlier on Friday, a western diplomat, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information, said the inspectors had been withdrawn from the Islamic Republic because of a new law passed by Tehran that could potentially criminalize international nuclear monitoring.
—
Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 5 July 2025
In 2023 South Carolina passed a bill called Gavin's Law that criminalized extorting minors or at-risk adults.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
In January, Tennessee Republicans passed a bill criminalizing local officials who support sanctuary policies for immigrants, while also seeking to establish a central immigration enforcement office and adopt new driver's licenses differentiating legal resident immigrants from U.S. citizens.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In addition to criminalizing Starlink, the law introduces sweeping penalties for espionage and cooperation with foreign adversaries.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
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Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 5 July 2025
In 2023 South Carolina passed a bill called Gavin's Law that criminalized extorting minors or at-risk adults.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
In January, Tennessee Republicans passed a bill criminalizing local officials who support sanctuary policies for immigrants, while also seeking to establish a central immigration enforcement office and adopt new driver's licenses differentiating legal resident immigrants from U.S. citizens.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In addition to criminalizing Starlink, the law introduces sweeping penalties for espionage and cooperation with foreign adversaries.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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
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