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
This is incredibly dangerous for people of color, who are often criminalized and seen as a threat.
—
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Governments that criminalize opposition rarely stop at the margins.
—Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
It’s often used to criminalize us, dehumanize us.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
For people of color and for vulnerable communities, it’s used to criminalize us.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Governments that criminalize opposition rarely stop at the margins.
—Jason M. Blazakis, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
It’s often used to criminalize us, dehumanize us.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
For people of color and for vulnerable communities, it’s used to criminalize us.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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During their first reign from 1996-2001, the Taliban had outlawed all music besides non-instrumental religious chanting, enforcing the ban with brutal tactics that included a suicide bombing at an ANIM student concert.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
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Democrats generally have been more successful at utilizing mail ballots, which has a lot to do with why Trump and Republicans want to outlaw or limit them.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The bill would ban tobacco for anyone born after January 1, 2009, and strengthen regulations on the sale of tobacco and vaping products.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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Even over-the-counter basics, like children’s Tylenol or chewable Pepto-Bismol, can be surprisingly hard to find abroad, especially in countries where pharmacies stock different formulations or ban certain medications altogether.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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