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
Marijuana is decriminalized or legal in some form in multiple states.
—
October 14, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Murphy and his predecessor, Gov. Chris Christie, filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to decriminalize wagers on sports in their state.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for decriminalize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
October 14, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Murphy and his predecessor, Gov. Chris Christie, filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to decriminalize wagers on sports in their state.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for decriminalize
Cite this Entry
“Decriminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decriminalize. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share