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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of criminalize While attitudes vary, the majority of African nations criminalize same-sex relations. —

Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026 The law criminalizes nonconsensual, explicit images created by artificial intelligence, often known as deepfakes. —

Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026 Then, in 2025, a bill criminalizing the practice made it through the Senate but was never called for a vote in the House. —

Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026 Some human rights groups and pundits have objected, however, saying the bans limit free speech and criminalize legitimate expressions of support for the Palestinian cause. —

Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize

Verb

In 2018, the state legislature passed a law that outlawed the possession and sale of bump stocks, along with trigger cranks and devices that make the gun operate like an automatic weapon.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
The University of Virginia and University of California system outlawed encampments on school grounds.

— Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026