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
Texas should regulate, not criminalize.
—
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Many legal cannabis ventures enrich hedge funds and politicians, and relatively few benefits accrue to the people who suffered jail time or worse when the drug was criminalized in every state.
—Ezra Marcus, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
In the court of public opinion and, ultimately, in the courts of law, the anti-terror legislation was exposed as a dangerously malleable tool, susceptible to being wielded to create political theater and criminalize dissent rather than to address genuine threats.
—Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
The policy also opposes legislation criminalizing the care.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Many legal cannabis ventures enrich hedge funds and politicians, and relatively few benefits accrue to the people who suffered jail time or worse when the drug was criminalized in every state.
—Ezra Marcus, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
In the court of public opinion and, ultimately, in the courts of law, the anti-terror legislation was exposed as a dangerously malleable tool, susceptible to being wielded to create political theater and criminalize dissent rather than to address genuine threats.
—Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
The policy also opposes legislation criminalizing the care.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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Following the 2022 invasion, the Kremlin passed a web of repressive laws effectively outlawing criticism of the war effort or government.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2026
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Discrimination is outlawed under South Africa's constitution, which also protects property rights and due process.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Examples of these actions include adopting stretch energy codes, piloting a reusable cups program for concerts at RiverEdge Park and banning single use plastic shopping bags, according to a poster of the actions displayed during the breakout groups held later in the forum.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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Kansas bans gender-affirming care for minors and bars transgender women and girls from female sports teams, kindergarten through college.—
John Hanna,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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