decriminalize
verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
(ˌ)dē-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
-ˈkrim-nəl-
decriminalized; decriminalizing; decriminalizes
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
especially
: to repeal a strict ban on while keeping under some form of regulation
decriminalize the possession of marijuana
Examples of decriminalize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The no-vending zones were established by a 2018 ordinance that decriminalized street vending elsewhere in the city and created rules and regulations for vendors.
—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024
On Friday, Germany passed a measure decriminalizing possession and home cultivation of cannabis, starting on April 1.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024
Oregon, Colorado and more than a dozen U.S. cities have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms.
—Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
Then Colombia decriminalized the procedure in 2022, permitting abortions up to 24 weeks.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
Idaho is one of just four states yet to even decriminalize marijuana, along with Wyoming, Kansas and South Carolina.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024
When California decriminalized sidewalk vending with SB 946 in 2018, that led to a significant increase in vendors throughout the city, according to a staff report.
—Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
The opposition counters that decriminalizing weed will be harmful to young people and increase the burden on police.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Oregon voters passed Measure 110 in 2020, which decriminalized some use of hard-drugs, including fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
—Amy Simonson and Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024
Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024
On Friday, Germany passed a measure decriminalizing possession and home cultivation of cannabis, starting on April 1.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024
Oregon, Colorado and more than a dozen U.S. cities have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms.
—Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
Then Colombia decriminalized the procedure in 2022, permitting abortions up to 24 weeks.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
Idaho is one of just four states yet to even decriminalize marijuana, along with Wyoming, Kansas and South Carolina.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024
When California decriminalized sidewalk vending with SB 946 in 2018, that led to a significant increase in vendors throughout the city, according to a staff report.
—Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 12 Feb. 2024
The opposition counters that decriminalizing weed will be harmful to young people and increase the burden on police.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Oregon voters passed Measure 110 in 2020, which decriminalized some use of hard-drugs, including fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
—Amy Simonson and Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decriminalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near decriminalize
Cite this Entry
“Decriminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decriminalize. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
decriminalize
transitive verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
dē-ˈkri-mən-ᵊl-ˌīz
decriminalized; decriminalizing
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
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