decriminalize

[ dee-krim-uh-nl-ahyz ]
See synonyms for decriminalize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),de·crim·i·nal·ized, de·crim·i·nal·iz·ing.
  1. to eliminate criminal penalties for or remove legal restrictions against: to decriminalize marijuana.

Origin of decriminalize

1
An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; de- + criminal + -ize
  • Also especially British, de·crim·i·nal·ise .

Other words from decriminalize

  • de·crim·i·nal·i·za·tion, noun

Words Nearby decriminalize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use decriminalize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for decriminalize

decriminalize

decriminalise

/ (diːˈkrɪmənəˌlaɪz) /


verb
  1. (tr) to remove (an action) from the legal category of criminal offence: to decriminalize the possession of marijuana

Derived forms of decriminalize

  • decriminalization or decriminalisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012