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
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Adjective
This is incredibly dangerous for people of color, who are often criminalized and seen as a threat.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalized
Verb
-
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
-
Courts undid Nixon’s actions, and Congress eventually passed the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which outlawed the maneuver, leaving only narrow exceptions — rescissions — that required congressional sign-off.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
But the league had banned him prior to that.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Ultimately, Smith voluntarily resigned from the Academy, and the organization banned him from attending the Oscars or any other Academy event for 10 years.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
This comes after airspace violations involving balloons carrying contraband cigarettes which had previously forced the closure of airspace earlier in the month.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Known for her raunchy, no-holds barred comedy, Glaser’s career skyrocketed after her standout performance on Netflix’s roast of Tom Brady.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In the constellation Cepheus lies the barred spiral galaxy NGC 6951.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalized. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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