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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of criminalizing
That’s what makes criminalizing hate so fraught, particularly regarding hate speech.
—
The Detroit News Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
But in 2024, Anutin, who in the meantime assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior within the new government, announced that the Thai government was planning to regulate cannabis without re-criminalizing it for recreational use, as initially planned.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This year, state lawmakers passed a law criminalizing local officials who cast votes for any kind of sanctuary policy.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
Gorgeous added that, rather than criminalizing trans kids who steal, or tattling on them, people should be looking for ways to help them.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
Shortly after that, Congress passed a law criminalizing flag burning but the court later struck it down.
—Laurie Kellman, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
If Britain continues down the path of criminalizing thought and prayer, the alliance risks being reduced to polite diplomacy while its moral core rots away.
—Lois McLatchie Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Many health care professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, KFF and the American Psychological Association, say criminalizing gender-affirming care causes greater harm to transgender youths' mental well-being.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Without a detailed plan on tackling homelessness in the nation's capital, advocates like Amber Harding, executive director of the nonprofit Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, worry the focus will be on criminalizing those who have nowhere to go.
—Michel Martin, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
The Detroit News Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
But in 2024, Anutin, who in the meantime assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior within the new government, announced that the Thai government was planning to regulate cannabis without re-criminalizing it for recreational use, as initially planned.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
This year, state lawmakers passed a law criminalizing local officials who cast votes for any kind of sanctuary policy.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
Gorgeous added that, rather than criminalizing trans kids who steal, or tattling on them, people should be looking for ways to help them.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
Shortly after that, Congress passed a law criminalizing flag burning but the court later struck it down.
—Laurie Kellman, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
If Britain continues down the path of criminalizing thought and prayer, the alliance risks being reduced to polite diplomacy while its moral core rots away.
—Lois McLatchie Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Many health care professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, KFF and the American Psychological Association, say criminalizing gender-affirming care causes greater harm to transgender youths' mental well-being.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Without a detailed plan on tackling homelessness in the nation's capital, advocates like Amber Harding, executive director of the nonprofit Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, worry the focus will be on criminalizing those who have nowhere to go.
—Michel Martin, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalizing
Verb
-
The floodplain has been redrawn wider than ever, outlawing home construction in new danger zones.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His congressional pawns could have passed a law outlawing ridicule of the president.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While voting on the bill is unlikely, the provision banning software tools like virtual private networks, or VPNs, has caused concern over potential government overreach in tech spaces.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Upping the ante, Sultana swiftly introduced a bill banning landlords from serving as MPs.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalizing. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share