as in to outlaw
to make or declare contrary to the law
wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations
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Recent Examples of criminalize
Because getting around Kansas likely requires a car, this law not only criminalizes trans people but also cuts off their mobility.
—
Darren Rosenblum, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Hegseth wants to reform the military chaplain corps Hegseth’s church network, the CREC, preaches a patriarchal form of Christianity, where women cannot serve in leadership, and pastors argue that homosexuality should be criminalized.
—Tiffany Stanley, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Eagan police detective Chad Clausen, who testified in favor of the bill, pointed out that 12 other states have already criminalized grooming.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
While attitudes vary, the majority of African nations criminalize same-sex relations.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Darren Rosenblum, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Hegseth wants to reform the military chaplain corps Hegseth’s church network, the CREC, preaches a patriarchal form of Christianity, where women cannot serve in leadership, and pastors argue that homosexuality should be criminalized.
—Tiffany Stanley, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Eagan police detective Chad Clausen, who testified in favor of the bill, pointed out that 12 other states have already criminalized grooming.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
While attitudes vary, the majority of African nations criminalize same-sex relations.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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This year also marks the 75th anniversary of an extraordinary case of student activism that helped lead to the Supreme Court’s decision outlawing segregated schools.—
Jonathan Entin,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
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The death penalty for murder was outlawed in 1954 and Israel has only executed two people in its 78-year history.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The country’s then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even went as far as issuing a fatwa, or legal ruling under Islamic law, banning them.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
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North Korea banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic but has started easing the restrictions, with a Russian tour group entering the country in 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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