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 policy criminalizes routine reporting, according to media lawyers and advocates, so news outlets are refusing to abide by it.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
In the motion, Benowitz notes that the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act criminalizes unauthorized digital access to computers as a misdemeanor.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Oregon’s law criminalizes making audio recordings unless all parties are notified, with some exceptions, like during conversations with on-duty law enforcement and during felonies that endanger human life.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 6 Oct. 2025
The festival, taking place in Riyadh from September 26 to October 9, has been widely condemned as an attempt to whitewash the Saudi regime, which heavily criminalizes LGBTQ+ people and has ordered the killing of journalists like Jamal Khashoggi.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 6 Oct. 2025
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
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
In the motion, Benowitz notes that the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act criminalizes unauthorized digital access to computers as a misdemeanor.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Oregon’s law criminalizes making audio recordings unless all parties are notified, with some exceptions, like during conversations with on-duty law enforcement and during felonies that endanger human life.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 6 Oct. 2025
The festival, taking place in Riyadh from September 26 to October 9, has been widely condemned as an attempt to whitewash the Saudi regime, which heavily criminalizes LGBTQ+ people and has ordered the killing of journalists like Jamal Khashoggi.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 6 Oct. 2025
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
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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Colorado also has a voluntary exclusion list that people battling gambling addiction can put themselves on, which bans them from casinos and sports betting apps for up to five years.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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An Ohio law introduced this year bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs from the state's colleges and universities.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalizes. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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