criminalize

[krim-uh-nl-ahyz]

verb (used with object), crim·i·nal·ized, crim·i·nal·iz·ing.

to make punishable as a crime: To reduce the graffiti on subway cars, he wants to criminalize the selling of spray paint to minors.
to make a criminal of: Drug use has criminalized him.

Also especially British, crim·i·nal·ise.

Origin of criminalize

First recorded in 1955–60; criminal + -ize

Related formscrim·i·nal·i·za·tion, nounre·crim·i·nal·i·za·tion, nounre·crim·i·nal·ize, verb (used with object), re·crim·i·nal·ized, re·crim·i·nal·iz·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for criminalize

Contemporary Examples of criminalize

I think if people were to realize that, it would be much harder to criminalize and dismiss us.
The Importance of Adult Classifieds
Hazlitt
September 6, 2014
No, Mr. Taranto, what America wants to do is criminalize rape.
George Will, a Worthy Heir to Todd Akin
Sally Kohn
June 10, 2014
Despite this, in March Indian parliamentarians rejected proposals to criminalize marital rape.
Marital Rape Ruling Highlights India’s Problem With Consent
Amana Fontanella-Khan
May 18, 2014
Now the attempt is somehow to criminalize bureaucratic error.
The B Is Back: The Benghazi Hearings Are Bullsh*t
Michael Tomasky
May 7, 2014
Nigeria and Uganda are even contemplating laws to criminalize speech in support of gay rights.
Processing the Murder of Eric Ohena Lembembe
Neela Ghoshal
July 17, 2013

British Dictionary definitions for criminalize

criminalize

criminalise

verb (tr)

to make (an action or activity) criminal
to treat (a person) as a criminal

Derived Formscriminalization or criminalisation, 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