as in outlaws
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 criminalizes
The Mann Act criminalizes the transport of a person across state lines for the purpose of prostitution.
—
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, a foreign terrorism designation actually criminalizes involvement in terrorist activity.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
What kind of belonging criminalizes your very breath?
—Sonny Alejandra, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
In Thailand, a sedition law is frequently abused—alongside the draconian lèse-majesté law that criminalizes insulting royalty.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The law, passed during the 2025 legislative session, criminalizes voting in support of sanctuary policies for immigrants.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 24 June 2025
Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, a foreign terrorism designation actually criminalizes involvement in terrorist activity.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
What kind of belonging criminalizes your very breath?
—Sonny Alejandra, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
In Thailand, a sedition law is frequently abused—alongside the draconian lèse-majesté law that criminalizes insulting royalty.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The law, passed during the 2025 legislative session, criminalizes voting in support of sanctuary policies for immigrants.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 24 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalizes
Verb
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North Carolina The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission outlaws the sale of alcoholic beverages through happy hour promotions.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Texas passed an artificial intelligence law in June that similarly outlaws the collection of biometric data without permission.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The rule bans the construction of roads, and the commercial uses those roads enable, in 45 million acres of Forest Service land.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
28 Sep. 2025
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Approval would require lifting the station ownership limit, which bans broadcasters from reaching more than 39% of the national audience.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalizes. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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