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
In addition to criminalizing nonconsensual intimate deepfakes, the federal law requires platforms to take down imagery 48 hours after it is reported.
—
Bruna Horvath, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
New state and federal laws criminalize non-consensual deepfakes, but prosecutions have been slow and face legal hurdles.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
As discussed earlier, the wire fraud statute criminalizes putting a plan into motion to wrongfully obtain money or property.
—Robert L. Boone, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The Coalition for the Homeless says the city's unhoused are often dehumanized and criminalized.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Bruna Horvath, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
New state and federal laws criminalize non-consensual deepfakes, but prosecutions have been slow and face legal hurdles.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
As discussed earlier, the wire fraud statute criminalizes putting a plan into motion to wrongfully obtain money or property.
—Robert L. Boone, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The Coalition for the Homeless says the city's unhoused are often dehumanized and criminalized.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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Reports emerged this week that tailgating is outlawed during World Cup matches in Boston — and with parking banned at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, there will be no way for fans to tailgate outside.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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After football killed 19 college players in 1905, Roosevelt resisted cries to outlaw the game and supported rule changes.—
Steve Doerschuk,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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China banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021, and since then has extended the ban to other fruits and products including grouper fish, squid and tuna.—
Huizhong Wu,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
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Opt for non-aerosol sunscreen, since many festival venues ban aerosol sprays.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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