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
Israel accused Lebanon's government of failing to carry out its pledge to disarm Hezbollah, despite its unprecedented steps toward criminalizing the group.
—
ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The bill also takes the step of actually criminalizing grooming.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
Tuesday, the House companion bill on criminalizing grooming will get its third hearing.
—Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
The verdict raises major questions about the limits of 1st Amendment protections and how far authorities can go in criminalizing political protests.
—Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Then, in 2025, a bill criminalizing the practice made it through the Senate but was never called for a vote in the House.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
Its role as the only economic player in town – the result of crushing sanctions further criminalizing the regime to the point of creating and sustaining a black market economy run by the group – leaves its leaders disinterested in turning their back on such a system.
—Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The policy also opposes legislation criminalizing the care.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Mahan has described such policies as more compassionate than leaving people to suffer on the streets indefinitely, but advocates have accused him of criminalizing homelessness.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
The bill also takes the step of actually criminalizing grooming.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026
Tuesday, the House companion bill on criminalizing grooming will get its third hearing.
—Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
The verdict raises major questions about the limits of 1st Amendment protections and how far authorities can go in criminalizing political protests.
—Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Then, in 2025, a bill criminalizing the practice made it through the Senate but was never called for a vote in the House.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
Its role as the only economic player in town – the result of crushing sanctions further criminalizing the regime to the point of creating and sustaining a black market economy run by the group – leaves its leaders disinterested in turning their back on such a system.
—Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
The policy also opposes legislation criminalizing the care.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Mahan has described such policies as more compassionate than leaving people to suffer on the streets indefinitely, but advocates have accused him of criminalizing homelessness.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalizing
Verb
-
In 2024, Berkeley and Oakland passed ordinances outlawing discrimination based on family structure, including polyamorous relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Mariya Taher, co-founder and executive director of Sahiyo, a nonprofit fighting female genital mutilation, said the existence of state legislation outlawing the practice helps to counter beliefs in certain communities that female genital mutilation is necessary for girls.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The country’s then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even went as far as issuing a fatwa, or legal ruling under Islamic law, banning them.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Beginning in 2025, parents planned their exits from states banning health care for their children.—
Tracy Baim,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalizing. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
