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
What the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court Case Ruling means for Kentucky: The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that cities may criminalize camping by homeless people who have nowhere else to go.
—
Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2024
The gray zone is where a criminal law does not ostensibly target a president, let alone a core executive power, but its application could criminalize acts that are within the expansive modern perimeter of the president’s duties.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 July 2024
This prosecutorial tactic is literally criminalizing rap music.
—Priya Chaudhry, Billboard, 1 July 2024
But Congress may not criminalize the President’s conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the Executive Branch under the Constitution.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2024
The gray zone is where a criminal law does not ostensibly target a president, let alone a core executive power, but its application could criminalize acts that are within the expansive modern perimeter of the president’s duties.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 July 2024
This prosecutorial tactic is literally criminalizing rap music.
—Priya Chaudhry, Billboard, 1 July 2024
But Congress may not criminalize the President’s conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the Executive Branch under the Constitution.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'criminalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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?
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