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.
verb (tr)
- to make (an action or activity) criminal
- to treat (a person) as a criminal