criminality

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce criminality (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
2
: criminal activity
urban criminality

Examples of criminality in a Sentence

a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And why, after the flurry of arrests in 2023, has Chinese law enforcement action slowed despite a resurgence in criminality? Charlie Campbell, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025 The settlement would enable the Murdoch camp to quash the public presentation of evidence by Harry and Watson's legal team —evidence meant to show that the Murdoch daily tabloid the Sun also engaged in widespread criminality in its reporting methods. David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025 Just as traditional banking spawned increasingly sophisticated financial crimes, the cryptocurrency ecosystem has given birth to its own species of corporate criminality. Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 Potential criminality could also be referred to the Justice Department. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for criminality 

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ity, perhaps after French criminalité

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminality was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near criminality

Cite this Entry

“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Legal Definition

criminality

noun
crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce criminality (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
can't understand the criminality of his act
2
: crime sense 3
violent criminality

More from Merriam-Webster on criminality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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