criminality

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being criminal

2

: criminal activity

urban criminality

Synonyms

• crime
• lawbreaking
• lawlessness

Examples of criminality in a Sentence

a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers

Recent Examples on the Web

Because their original criminality did not have consequences. —Louis Casiano, Fox News, 16 Oct. 2024

There is a sense that in criminality, that there is not a punishment. ... —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 Oct. 2024

The presidential election this year unified the opposition, mobilized citizens, and demonstrated to the world the cynicism, failure, and criminality of the Maduro government. —Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, Haitian ethnicity itself is becoming synonymous with barbarism and criminality. —Roxane Gay, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

criminal entry 1 + -ity, perhaps after French criminalité

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

criminality

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​i·​ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being criminal

can't understand the criminality of his act

2

: crime sense 3

violent criminality