as in to outlaw
to make or declare contrary to the law
wanted to criminalize an activity that the mountaineers had been engaging in for generations
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Recent Examples of criminalize
Homosexual activity is criminalized in several African countries.
—
Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The legislation does not criminalize possession or use, but focuses on restricting supply through sales.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
The law does not criminalize fear.
—Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Their calls for justice persist despite a decade-old law that criminalized femicide, a crime now punishable by up to 50 years in prison.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The legislation does not criminalize possession or use, but focuses on restricting supply through sales.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026
The law does not criminalize fear.
—Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Their calls for justice persist despite a decade-old law that criminalized femicide, a crime now punishable by up to 50 years in prison.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminalize
Verb
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Polyamory is nothing new in California, and certainly not in Oakland, which in 2024 became the first city in the state to outlaw discrimination based on family structure — a move meant in part to protect multiple partners’ rights to manage a medical emergency in the hospital.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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On the other hand, Germany, Austria and Italy are among the EU members that outlawed its use.—
Vladimir Isachenkov,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Emerald Necklace Conservancy and a group of park neighbors suing the city to try to block the project have also argued that alcohol should be banned at the facility.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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Racing’s indignation over that, as well as that of anger in the general public, prompted the formation by Congress of a bill that would ban the slaughter of horses in the United States.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminalize. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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