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
The pope, however, has not called for the practice to be criminalized and a 2023 Vatican doctrinal ruling pointed out that children born through surrogacy can be baptized.
—
Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
Silver pointed out that the money currently being spent on criminalizing the homeless population could be better used to invest in long-term solutions.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
However, Democrats have repeatedly attempted to block provisions of the law, claiming that the strict rules on identification will disenfranchise voters and criminalize portions of the election process.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has asserted that pro-life laws endanger women by restricting access to and even criminalizing health care.
—Christina Francis, National Review, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize 
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Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
Silver pointed out that the money currently being spent on criminalizing the homeless population could be better used to invest in long-term solutions.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
However, Democrats have repeatedly attempted to block provisions of the law, claiming that the strict rules on identification will disenfranchise voters and criminalize portions of the election process.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has asserted that pro-life laws endanger women by restricting access to and even criminalizing health care.
—Christina Francis, National Review, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminalize
Dictionary Entries Near criminalize
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminalize. Accessed 5 Nov. 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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