criminalize
verb
crim·i·nal·ize
ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz
criminalized; criminalizing
: to make illegal
also
: to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal
Examples of criminalize in a Sentence
a law that criminalized alcohol
wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations
Recent Examples on the Web
Defense attorneys for the ComEd Four have repeatedly argued the government was seeking to criminalize legal lobbying and job recommendations that are at the heart of the state’s legitimate political system.
—
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
However, legal analysis around Hungary’s crypto ban reveals a more nuanced reality where the July 1 legislation primarily targets unlicensed domestic exchanges rather than criminalizing everyday crypto trading.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
On July 1, 2025, Florida became the first state to criminalize geoengineering and weather modification when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
Even their spiritual practices and language were criminalized through the Tohunga Suppression Act.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
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Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
However, legal analysis around Hungary’s crypto ban reveals a more nuanced reality where the July 1 legislation primarily targets unlicensed domestic exchanges rather than criminalizing everyday crypto trading.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
On July 1, 2025, Florida became the first state to criminalize geoengineering and weather modification when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
Even their spiritual practices and language were criminalized through the Tohunga Suppression Act.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
criminalize
transitive verb
crim·i·nal·ize
ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz
criminalized; criminalizing
: to make criminal : outlaw
the statute criminalizing the use of contraceptives—R. H. Bork
compare illegalize
R. H. BorkLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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