criminalize

verb crim·i·nal·ize \ˈkri-mə-n^əl-ˌīz, ˈkrim-nə-ˌlīz\

: to make (something) illegal

crim·i·nal·izedcrim·i·nal·iz·ing

Full Definition of CRIMINALIZE

transitive verb

: to make illegal; also : to turn into a criminal or treat as criminal

— crim·i·nal·i·za·tion \ˌkri-mə-n^əl-ə-ˈzā-shən, ˌkrim-nə-lə-ˈzā-\ noun

See criminalize defined for English-language learners

circa 1956

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