Synonyms

decriminalize

American

[dee-krim-uh-nl-ahyz] / diˈkrɪm ə nlˌaɪz /

especially British, decriminalise

verb (used with object)

decriminalized, decriminalizing

to eliminate criminal penalties for or remove legal restrictions against.

to decriminalize marijuana.

decriminalize British

/ diːˈkrɪmənəˌlaɪz /

verb

(tr) to remove (an action) from the legal category of criminal offence

to decriminalize the possession of marijuana

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

decriminalization noun

Etymology

Origin of decriminalize

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; de- + criminal + -ize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In November, Paxton also sued Dallas after its residents overwhelmingly voted to decriminalize possession.

From Slate • May 28, 2025

However, early data from Virginia, one of the first places to decriminalize jaywalking, shows no increase in pedestrian deaths and injuries, according to a report by America Walks, a national pedestrian rights advocacy group.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

Then in 2021, a movement to decriminalize cruising began to take root in National City.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2023

Last week, the central state of Aguascalientes became the 12th state to decriminalize the procedure.

From Washington Times • Sep. 6, 2023

“Did you lead the charge to decriminalize public urination in Washington, D.C.?”

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023