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
Homosexuality is criminalized in more than 60 countries around the world, and for the past five years, an annual theater festival in New York City has elevated the work of playwrights from countries where their queerness can land them in prison, or worse.
—
Elyssa Goodman, NBC News, 20 June 2024
Among other things, these laws criminalized unemployment and homelessness, with the goal of allowing police to arrest and jail newly free Black people for not having homes of their own.
—Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 19 June 2024
There are 62 countries worldwide that still criminalize (or de facto criminalize) homosexuality, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), which counts UN member states.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 June 2024
Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, the state has relentlessly increased the number of laws criminalizing various forms of public expression—and with them, the number of prosecutions for antiwar activities.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
Elyssa Goodman, NBC News, 20 June 2024
Among other things, these laws criminalized unemployment and homelessness, with the goal of allowing police to arrest and jail newly free Black people for not having homes of their own.
—Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 19 June 2024
There are 62 countries worldwide that still criminalize (or de facto criminalize) homosexuality, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), which counts UN member states.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 June 2024
Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, the state has relentlessly increased the number of laws criminalizing various forms of public expression—and with them, the number of prosecutions for antiwar activities.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 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 7 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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