DECRIMINALIZING Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

decriminalizing

verb

present participle of decriminalize

as in legalizing

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decriminalizing

legalizing

Verb

Holscher, in a video outside of a dispensary in Kansas City, made a case for legalizing marijuana for an additional source of revenue for the state, building up the local cannabis industry and for personal freedom.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Research suggests that policies legalizing bodily surveillance are not a positive influence for any child in youth sports.

— Megan Gandy, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

Definition of legalizing

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.

Browse Nearby Words

decriminalizes

decriminalizing

decry

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Decriminalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decriminalizing. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of decriminalizing

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on decriminalizing

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulcrum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes