Synonyms of criminalizing

criminalizing

verb

present participle of criminalize

as in outlawing

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

• outlawing
• banning
• prohibiting
• illegalizing
• forbidding
• proscribing
• enjoining
• interdicting
• barring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• legalizing
• permitting
• letting
• allowing
• decriminalizing
• suffering
• approving
• endorsing
• sanctioning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of criminalizing

Michael Olson, policy counsel for Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, said criminalizing the distribution of sterile syringes is a mistake. — Maya Henry, Oklahoma Watch, 30 June 2026

According to Human Rights Watch, at least 67 countries have national laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults, and at least nine have criminalize forms of gender expression. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 June 2026

Civil liberties advocates say the settlement underscores First Amendment protections for controversial online speech and warns law enforcement nationwide to tread carefully when criminalizing social media posts. — R.j. Rico, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026

Under President John Adams, the Federalists sought to eradicate French ideological influence by raising the bar to citizenship, lowering the bar to deportation, and criminalizing malicious criticism of the federal government. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

On the other, activists and civil liberties groups warn that aggressive prosecutions risk criminalizing dissent and chilling protest. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Maintain local control, protect public spaces and stop criminalizing people for sleeping outside when no safe alternative exists. — Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026

Chenoweth says authoritarians are getting better at controlling information flow, criminalizing protest, hardening security and police forces, and coordinating with other authoritarians. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026

In addition to criminalizing nonconsensual intimate deepfakes, the federal law requires platforms to take down imagery 48 hours after it is reported. — Bruna Horvath, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026