verb
- past tense and past participle of criminalise; to make something illegal or to treat someone as a criminal
Usage: British English spelling (American English: criminalized); typically used in passive voice or as an adjective
Examples
- Many countries have criminalised the possession of certain drugs.
- The government criminalised homelessness by passing strict new laws.
- Historically, same-sex relationships were criminalised in many Western nations.
- The new legislation criminalised hate speech in public spaces.
- Activists argue that the policy criminalises poverty rather than addressing its root causes.
- Several European nations have criminalised denial of historical atrocities.