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

The new policy, set by the California Natural Resources Agency, aims to start healing the harm caused by the state’s actions to bar tribes from their homelands and criminalize their cultural and land management practices.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Congress can certainly criminalize smuggling directed at our shores.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

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

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2024

“Prop 312 does not change the city’s commitment to lead with education and services and not criminalize homelessness,” said Dan Wilson, communications director.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2024

“Due to undefined mitigation measures coupled with a vague enforcement provision, the bill could also criminalize common practices like using a VPN or side-loading to install a prohibited app,” EFF said.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2023