decriminalization
Americannoun
Explanation
When something that was once against the law becomes legal, that process is decriminalization. Someone who wants to open a casino might lobby for the decriminalization of gambling in her city. Interracial marriage was once illegal in most of the United States, and its official decriminalization didn't occur until 1967, when the Supreme Court ruled that such laws were unconstitutional. You can also use this word to describe what happens when laws are no longer strictly enforced, despite not being actually overturned. This kind of decriminalization might result in drug offenders being sent to treatment programs instead of prison, for example.
Vocabulary lists containing decriminalization
Words with 15 or More Letters, List 5
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crim, crimin (judgement; accusation)
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crim, crimin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
MacKenzie Scott has also focused on sexual and gender-based violence, giving millions to multiple organizations that advocate for decriminalization and support sex-worker rights.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
"The idea behind decriminalization was one simple thing: to stop all of us from going to jail again and again and again," he said.
From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026
Stroup thought that “within three or four or five years, we would have decriminalization passed in all states across the country.”
From Slate ● Dec. 23, 2025
He supported a partial rollback of Oregon’s pioneering drug decriminalization law this year and dedicated more staff members to prosecuting violent crime.
From New York Times ● May 21, 2024
Some proponents of decriminalization say those who engage in the work of their own volition are being put further in harm’s way by efforts to curb trafficking.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
