decriminalize

[dee-krim-uh-nl-ahyz]

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

to eliminate criminal penalties for or remove legal restrictions against: to decriminalize marijuana.

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

Origin of decriminalize

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; de- + criminal + -ize

Related formsde·crim·i·nal·i·za·tion, noun

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

Examples from the Web for decriminalization

Contemporary Examples of decriminalization

“There are indications that decriminalization can reduce the burden on criminal justice systems,” the report said.
Britain Admits Anti-Drug Laws Are Useless
Nico Hines
October 30, 2014
“No system works 100 percent, but we do know that decriminalization is the number one thing we have to do first,” said Kinkaid.
Sex Workers Don't Deserve to be Raped
Jillian Keenan
September 27, 2014
There is some strong evidence to suggest that decriminalization can protect sex workers, and all women, from violent crime.
Sex Workers Don't Deserve to be Raped
Jillian Keenan
September 27, 2014
They only support the decriminalization of the drug, which just became law in the Old Line State.
Maryland's Boringly Liberal Gubernatorial Debate
Ben Jacobs
May 8, 2014
Collins argues for the decriminalization of drugs, which he calls a “far more effective tool.”
Economists Slam the War on Drugs in a New London School of Economics Report
Abby Haglage
May 6, 2014

British Dictionary definitions for decriminalization

decriminalize

decriminalise

verb

(tr) to remove (an action) from the legal category of criminal offenceto decriminalize the possession of marijuana

Derived Formsdecriminalization 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

Word Origin and History for decriminalization

1945, from de- + criminal + -ization. Especially in reference to narcotics since c.1968.

decriminalize

1963, "to reform a criminal," back-formation from decriminalization. Meaning "to make legal something that formerly had been illegal" was in use by 1970 (there are isolated instances back to 1867). Related: Decriminalized; decriminalizing.