criminality

[ krim-uh-nal-i-tee ]

noun

, plural crim·i·nal·i·ties

1. the state of being criminal.
2. a criminal act or practice.

Other Words From

• noncrim·i·nali·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of criminality¹

From the Medieval Latin word crīminālitās, dating back to 1605–15. See criminal, -ity

Example Sentences

It’s a field in which criminality is “pervasive,” as the FBI reported in September.

From Los Angeles Times

"Trust in policing will be helped by an honest conversation about the risks facing different communities and a collective effort to give everyone equal chance of thriving in London and not be drawn into criminality."

From BBC

Another officer is the subject of an ongoing investigation into potential criminality in relation to accessing the material.

From BBC

“Those crossing will often have to pay either through extortion, or from being exploited in some form of forced labour or criminality on the other side.”

From BBC

On Monday, Judge William Henry Scott ruled that Young did not act illegally, but held off on deciding whether the term “black market” in the story implied criminality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• atrocity
• breach
• case
• corruption
• evil
• felony
• infraction
• lawlessness
• misconduct
• misdeed
• misdemeanor
• scandal
• transgression
• violation
• wrongdoing