CRIMINALIZE Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

criminalize

verb

ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz

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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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of criminalize At least four states and one New York county have moved this year to criminalize disruptions at religious services, boosting penalties and expanding restrictions beyond traditional trespassing laws. —

Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 The bill criminalized seditious libel. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 The federal Lacey Act prohibits the sale or transportation of wildlife taken in violation of state law and also criminalizes providing false information related to wildlife involved in interstate or international commerce. —

Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026 The deportation is particularly notable because Saab had become one of the most politically sensitive figures within Venezuela’s ruling structure, frequently portrayed by the Maduro regime as proof that Washington criminalized those helping the country circumvent sanctions. —

Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize

Verb

Set in 2093, the film follows young filmmaker Kuve (Abraham Joseph) who travels to the remote village of Umata to document the aftermath of a devastating war that outlawed post-2040s technology and brought ancient kingdoms back to life.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 June 2026
Still, for thirty-two years, the book was outlawed precisely for being dirty and obscene—honest, maybe, but definitely not healthy.

— Louis Menand, New Yorker, 1 June 2026