Criminalize
(verb)
To make something illegal or a criminal offense.
Origin:
From latin criminalis "pertaining to crime".
Examples:
- The government criminalized the possession of drugs.
- Many people protested against the decision to criminalize marijuana.
- The act of cyberstalking was criminalized to protect victims.
- He was against the idea of criminalizing homelessness.
- The state criminalized the act of driving under the influence.