decriminalize

[ dee-krim-uh-nl-ahyz ]

/ diˈkrɪm ə nlˌaɪz /

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See synonyms for decriminalize on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

Origin of decriminalize

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

OTHER WORDS FROM decriminalize

de·crim·i·nal·i·za·tion, noun

Words nearby decriminalize

decretist, decretive, decretory, Decretum, decrial, decriminalize, decrudescence, decry, decrypt, decubital, decubitus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use decriminalize in a sentence

In December, the House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, though it is unclear how the bill might fare in a split Senate.
South Dakota voters said yes to legalizing marijuana. But a judge ruled it’s unconstitutional.|Teo Armus|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain decriminalized in the rest of Indonesia outside of the cities of Pariaman and Palembang in the provinces of West Sumatra and South Sumatra respectively.
Two men in Indonesia’s Aceh province caned for having sex|Michael K. Lavers|January 30, 2021|Washington Blade
Meanwhile, some say continued efforts to decriminalize marijuana could help expand educational opportunities.
Medical cannabis master’s program at University of Maryland sees growth since launch|Tracy Mitchell Griggs|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
Back in 1973, it was the first state to decriminalize cannabis.
The war on drugs didn’t work. Oregon’s plan might.|Kat Eschner|December 17, 2020|Popular-Science

The vote was 228-to-164 and marked the first time either chamber of Congress has voted on the issue of federally decriminalizing cannabis.
House votes to decriminalize marijuana as GOP resists national shift on pot|Mike DeBonis|December 4, 2020|Washington Post
The World Health Organization recommends that countries decriminalize sex work.
Why It's Time to Legalize Prostitution|Cathy Reisenwitz|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He once ran for sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado, on the Freak Power ticket, promising to decriminalize drugs.
Top 10 Misbehaving Literary Rogues|Andrew Shaffer|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for decriminalize

decriminalize

decriminalise

/ (diːˈkrɪmənəˌlaɪz) /

verb

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

Derived forms of decriminalize

decriminalization 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

decriminalize

Origin of decriminalize

OTHER WORDS FROM decriminalize

Words nearby decriminalize

Words related to decriminalize

How to use decriminalize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for decriminalize

decriminalise

Derived forms of decriminalize