# criminalize

> English word · Verb · frequency rank #48,163

## Definitions
1. To make (something) a crime; to make illegal under criminal law; to ban.
2. To treat as a criminal.

## Etymology
From criminal + -ize.

## Easily confused with
- **criminality** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/criminality-vs-criminalize)

## Common misspellings (16)
`ccriminalize`, `cirminalize`, `criimnalize`, `crimianlize`, `criminailze`, `criminaliez`, `criminalizze`, `criminallize`, `criminalzie`, `criminlaize`, `criminnalize`, `crimminalize`, `crimnialize`, `crmiinalize`, `crriminalize`, `rciminalize`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/criminalize