criminalize

[ krim-uh-nl-ahyz ]
/ ˈkrɪm ə nlˌaɪz /

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

to make punishable as a crime: To reduce the graffiti on subway cars, he wants to criminalize the selling of spray paint to minors.
to make a criminal of: Drug use has criminalized him.
Also especially British, crim·i·nal·ise.

Origin of criminalize

First recorded in 1955–60; criminal + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM criminalize

crim·i·nal·i·za·tion, noun re·crim·i·nal·i·za·tion, noun re·crim·i·nal·ize, verb (used with object), re·crim·i·nal·ized, re·crim·i·nal·iz·ing.

Words nearby criminalize

criminal records bureau, criminal syndicalism, criminalist, criminalistics, criminality, criminalize, criminate, criminative, crimini, criminogenic, criminol.

Example sentences from the Web for criminalization

British Dictionary definitions for criminalization

criminalize

criminalise

/ (ˈkrɪmɪnəˌlaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to make (an action or activity) criminal
to treat (a person) as a criminal

Derived forms of criminalize

criminalization or criminalisation, noun