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
In January 2023, the western province became the first in Canada to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs.
—
Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 July 2024
Alcohol consumption was also decriminalized in the same wave of reforms, which aimed to modernize the nation where expats form around 88% of the population.
—Armani Syed, TIME, 10 July 2024
And yet attempts to decriminalize drugs and create robust systems of health care and social services trigger ferocious backlash.
—Zachary Siegel, Scientific American, 9 July 2024
But as of late, more lawmakers move to legalize and decriminalize possession and use of marijuana and more medical researchers are diving into learning more about how the drug affects the human body.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for decriminalize 
Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 July 2024
Alcohol consumption was also decriminalized in the same wave of reforms, which aimed to modernize the nation where expats form around 88% of the population.
—Armani Syed, TIME, 10 July 2024
And yet attempts to decriminalize drugs and create robust systems of health care and social services trigger ferocious backlash.
—Zachary Siegel, Scientific American, 9 July 2024
But as of late, more lawmakers move to legalize and decriminalize possession and use of marijuana and more medical researchers are diving into learning more about how the drug affects the human body.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for decriminalize
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Decriminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decriminalize. Accessed 27 Jul. 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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