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
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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
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The legislature also passed a law outlawing the use of Medicaid for gender-affirming care.—
Sarah Henry,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
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The floodplain has been redrawn wider than ever, outlawing home construction in new danger zones.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their influence led to Trump’s executive order banning biological males from competing in women's sports.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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This year alone, Sarah Jessica Parker is executive producing a doc on librarians fighting book banning, The Librarians, which her production company joined during its search for funding.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalizing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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