as in outlawed
to make or declare contrary to the law
wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prohibited
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of criminalized
Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
The state of Florida has cracked down on homelessness over the last few years, including passing controversial laws that criminalized sleeping outdoors and encouraged individuals to sue local governments over homelessness.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
People seeking care may become targets of surveillance; entrenching existing patterns where disability, neurodivergence and poverty are not only criminalized— but now automated and scaled.
—Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Less than a year after UPSIDE Foods and Good Meat celebrated federal approval in 2023, the state legislatures of Florida and Alabama had criminalized the sale of their products, punishable by a misdemeanor.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Yet, in the aftermath of the RAVE act, scores of clubs shut down, promoters were arrested, and parties would not dare talk about safer substance use or call an ambulance for a partygoer – it was criminalized.
—Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Grassley and other Republicans argue that by the time Smith formally inherited the case, the groundwork had already been laid for a wide-ranging operation that effectively criminalized political opposition.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Trayvon fit the bill, criminalized because of his hoodie and brown skin.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
A number of countries in Europe have criminalized the burning of the national flag including France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Decency becomes criminalized, sexualized, and othered as a way to control bodily agency, identity, and expression.
—Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
The state of Florida has cracked down on homelessness over the last few years, including passing controversial laws that criminalized sleeping outdoors and encouraged individuals to sue local governments over homelessness.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
People seeking care may become targets of surveillance; entrenching existing patterns where disability, neurodivergence and poverty are not only criminalized— but now automated and scaled.
—Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Less than a year after UPSIDE Foods and Good Meat celebrated federal approval in 2023, the state legislatures of Florida and Alabama had criminalized the sale of their products, punishable by a misdemeanor.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Yet, in the aftermath of the RAVE act, scores of clubs shut down, promoters were arrested, and parties would not dare talk about safer substance use or call an ambulance for a partygoer – it was criminalized.
—Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Grassley and other Republicans argue that by the time Smith formally inherited the case, the groundwork had already been laid for a wide-ranging operation that effectively criminalized political opposition.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
Trayvon fit the bill, criminalized because of his hoodie and brown skin.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
A number of countries in Europe have criminalized the burning of the national flag including France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalized
Verb
-
Half the states have outlawed the practice as ineffective and harmful to minors, often on a bipartisan basis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Oct. 2025
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There are also a few months left to go in 2025, and with hunting and trapping of gray wolves still outlawed in Wisconsin, the total number of hunting dog depredations there could increase.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There is, however, room for questions about where the line between prohibited and acceptable political involvement will fall in practice.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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The list of prohibited and restricted items, as found on the CBP website, includes alcohol, biological materials, firearms, food and produce such as fruits and vegetables, soil, wildlife, fish, and gold, among other items.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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It was subsequently banned from fairs because of its grisly origin.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Although fur farms are banned in many countries, millions of animals are killed every year for their pelts, which are used in clothing, according to animal welfare charity Humane Society International.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Lina, a young woman facing harsh coming-of-age rituals, forms a forbidden connection with a man.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Shkreli, for one, was reportedly running his pharmaceutical company from behind bars using a contraband smartphone, according to the Wall Street Journal.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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According to his report, nearly half of the 26 employees charged were for drug and contraband related crimes, including bringing marijuana, meth and fentanyl into the facility.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Teens as young as 13 will be able to use a limited ChatGPT, while under-13 users remain barred.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
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In 2023, a barred owl known as Owen was rescued near Boston’s Faneuil Hall after ingesting rat poison.—
Nara Schoenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalized. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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