as in to outlaw
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 criminalize
South Africa, for instance, has a law that bans its citizens from fighting in foreign wars without permission, and may criminalize violators upon their return.
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Annie Hylton, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025
The law’s opponents, including the ACLU’s Florida chapter, believe it could be used to criminalize bystanders’ actions and shield first responders, including officers, from scrutiny.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the new law is unnecessary, ineffective and will criminalize those with mental illness.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
Black people have for centuries called for more factual reporting that reflects their actual lives, because mainstream news has long criminalized and dehumanized their communities.
—Anita Varma, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
Annie Hylton, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2025
The law’s opponents, including the ACLU’s Florida chapter, believe it could be used to criminalize bystanders’ actions and shield first responders, including officers, from scrutiny.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the new law is unnecessary, ineffective and will criminalize those with mental illness.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025
Black people have for centuries called for more factual reporting that reflects their actual lives, because mainstream news has long criminalized and dehumanized their communities.
—Anita Varma, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for criminalize
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Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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