illegalize

especially British, il·le·gal·ise

[ih-lee-guh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

illegalized, illegalizing 

1. to make illegal.

   They even wanted to illegalize smoking.

illegalize

/ ɪˈliːɡəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to make illegal

Other Word Forms

• illegalization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illegalize¹

First recorded in 1810–20; illegal + -ize

Example Sentences

Gelber says polls consistently show that even people in countries with strong free-speech traditions like the United States support laws that illegalize flag desecration.

From Washington Times

But he said the United States is “going frantic to illegalize our development of outer space,” claiming the effort violates U.N. sanctions.

From Washington Times

But he said the United States is “going frantic to illegalize our development of outer space” by claiming North Korea violates U.N. sanctions.

From Seattle Times

Which leaves us with one moral option: illegalize it, the whole operation.

From The Guardian

If they announce they are going to illegalize normal light bulbs, we buy more–not fewer–of them to stock up.

From Forbes

Related Words

• bar 
• exclude 
• halt 
• outlaw 
• prevent 
• prohibit 
• proscribe 
• restrict 
• suppress