criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty
ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
2
: criminal activity
urban criminality
Examples of criminality in a Sentence
a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
For decades, cannabis was associated with rebellion, subversion, and in some cases, criminality.
—
Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
This shift undermines the association of cannabis with criminality or deviance.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Whiskey retained an association with criminality and drunkenness—one that whiskey makers were desperate to break.
— Made By History, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
There appears to be no criminality involved in the death, according to police sources.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminality
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Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
This shift undermines the association of cannabis with criminality or deviance.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Whiskey retained an association with criminality and drunkenness—one that whiskey makers were desperate to break.
— Made By History, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
There appears to be no criminality involved in the death, according to police sources.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminality
Cite this Entry
“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty
ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
can't understand the criminality of his act
2
: crime sense 3
violent criminality
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