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
Amid the nationwide immigration enforcement, Tennessee has doubled down on its own efforts, including passing a law that criminalizes the harboring of undocumented individuals.
—
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 3 July 2025
Wisconsin advocates warn the order moves society one step closer to policing and criminalizing homelessness.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
From the legal perspective, homosexual acts were criminalized.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 July 2025
Bettison said during city council's public health and safety committee meeting on Monday, July 21, that the intent isn't to penalize or criminalize parents, but to put them on notice.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 3 July 2025
Wisconsin advocates warn the order moves society one step closer to policing and criminalizing homelessness.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025
From the legal perspective, homosexual acts were criminalized.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 July 2025
Bettison said during city council's public health and safety committee meeting on Monday, July 21, that the intent isn't to penalize or criminalize parents, but to put them on notice.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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Grealish’s role was restricted in its scope given he was rigidly positioned on the left flank, but to suggest that Guardiola outlawed Grealish from dribbling is a fanciful explanation for his lack of flow.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
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Aiding and abetting an agitator or rioter through these means is also federally outlawed.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In 1966, the group banned white members altogether, which undermined its stability, collaborative potential, and impact in the following years.—
Time,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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Since then, a handful of other Republican governors have raced to join in, banning certain food colorings from kids' lunches -- sometimes prohibiting other chemical additives, too.—
Cheyenne Haslett,
ABC News,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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