decriminalize
verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
(ˌ)dē-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
-ˈkrim-nəl-
decriminalized; decriminalizing; decriminalizes
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
especially
: to repeal a strict ban on while keeping under some form of regulation
decriminalize the possession of marijuana
Examples of decriminalize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The study session on sidewalk vending in Los Gatos was the result of Senate Bill 946, legislation that passed the state senate in 2018 that decriminalized sidewalk vending and put limits on the restrictions that cities and towns in California could implement for sidewalk vendors.
—
Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
Before the vote, Dallas had been one of the largest U.S. cities that had not decriminalized cannabis possession.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Nov. 2024
For many Gen Xers and boomers, coming out at work would have been career suicide, or worse still, a crime: In the U.K., homosexuality was only fully decriminalized in 2013.
—Alex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 11 Oct. 2024
The law also decriminalized fentanyl testing strips, which were considered drug paraphernalia as they're used to detect whether there's fentanyl in other drugs.
—Alex Golden, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decriminalize 
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.
Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
Before the vote, Dallas had been one of the largest U.S. cities that had not decriminalized cannabis possession.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Nov. 2024
For many Gen Xers and boomers, coming out at work would have been career suicide, or worse still, a crime: In the U.K., homosexuality was only fully decriminalized in 2013.
—Alex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 11 Oct. 2024
The law also decriminalized fentanyl testing strips, which were considered drug paraphernalia as they're used to detect whether there's fentanyl in other drugs.
—Alex Golden, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decriminalize
Dictionary Entries Near decriminalize
Cite this Entry
“Decriminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decriminalize. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
decriminalize
transitive verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
dē-ˈkri-mən-ᵊl-ˌīz
decriminalized; decriminalizing
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share