decriminalize

verb

de·​crim·​i·​nal·​ize (ˌ)dē-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 

-ˈkrim-nəl-

decriminalized; decriminalizing; decriminalizes

transitive verb

: 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

decriminalization

(ˌ)dē-ˌkri-mə-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌkrim-nəl-

noun

Examples of decriminalize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the biggest subjects of censorship is homosexuality, which despite being decriminalized in China has been the target of a government crackdown in recent years, even though surveys shows the public is increasingly supportive of LGBTQ people. —Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025

Nepal even put to shame India, the world’s largest democracy, which decriminalized homosexuality in 2018, eleven years after Nepal. —Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Cannabis consumption has become more widespread since more countries have legalized or decriminalized its use. —New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025

Anutin as health minister in the pre-2023 government pushed to decriminalize cannabis, while the Pheu Thai government tried to reverse that. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decriminalize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize

Legal 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

decriminalization

dē-ˌkri-mən-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun