criminality

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce criminality (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
2
: criminal activity
urban criminality

Examples of criminality in a Sentence

a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What Redick asked of Doncic in that series, as well as the rest of his team’s starters, was coaching criminality. Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2025 On top of those negative influences comes the recent developments in conservative culture, demonizing women to the point of criminality if pregnancies are not carried out. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2025 If there was suspicion of criminality, the medical examiner would have proceeded with an autopsy. Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic disease where a person's blood sugar levels are too high and the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025 Trains on the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 lines skipped Times Square as police investigated the incident, which is not believed to be linked to any criminality. Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for criminality

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ity, perhaps after French criminalité

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminality was in 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

criminality

noun
crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce criminality (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
can't understand the criminality of his act
2
: crime sense 3
violent criminality
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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