criminalize

American  

[krim-uh-nl-ahyz] / ˈkrɪm ə nlˌaɪz /

especially British, criminalise

verb (used with object)

criminalized, criminalizing

1. to make punishable as a crime.

   To reduce the graffiti on subway cars, he wants to criminalize the selling of spray paint to minors.

2. to make a criminal of.

   Drug use has criminalized him.

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criminalize British  

/ ˈkrɪmɪnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make (an action or activity) criminal

2. to treat (a person) as a criminal

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Other Word Forms

• criminalization
  noun
• recriminalization
  noun
• recriminalize
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of criminalize

First recorded in 1955–60; criminal + -ize

Example Sentences

Congress can certainly criminalize smuggling directed at our shores.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

“It’s unjust to criminalize someone because of a tattoo,” said Araujo, 32.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2025

It may seem that efforts to criminalize speech will be constitutionally dead on arrival.

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2024

“I don’t believe we want to criminalize our low-income communities, or individuals going through housing challenges, but ... I do believe there has to be consequences for things.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2024

“It just makes it easier to bring that charge and criminalize a person for their behavior during pregnancy,” Manian told Salon in a phone interview.

From Salon • Oct. 3, 2024