decriminalize
verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
(ˌ)dē-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌlīz 
-ˈkrim-nəl-
decriminalized; decriminalizing; decriminalizes
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
especially
: to repeal a strict ban on while keeping under some form of regulation
decriminalize the possession of marijuana
Examples of decriminalize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anutin as health minister in the pre-2023 government pushed to decriminalize cannabis, while the Pheu Thai government tried to reverse that.
—
Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Anti-gay laws are in place in various conservative African countries including Senegal, Uganda and Malawi, though some others, including South Africa, Botswana and Angola, have decriminalized LGBTQ practices or enacted protective measures.
—CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Luckily for him, marijuana has been decriminalized.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2025
It’s been decriminalized or legalized in a handful of states and cities, with New Mexico recently joining this list, creating a legal pathway for the medical use of psilocybin.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decriminalize
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Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Anti-gay laws are in place in various conservative African countries including Senegal, Uganda and Malawi, though some others, including South Africa, Botswana and Angola, have decriminalized LGBTQ practices or enacted protective measures.
—CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Luckily for him, marijuana has been decriminalized.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2025
It’s been decriminalized or legalized in a handful of states and cities, with New Mexico recently joining this list, creating a legal pathway for the medical use of psilocybin.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decriminalize
Cite this Entry
“Decriminalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decriminalize. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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decriminalize
transitive verb
de·crim·i·nal·ize
dē-ˈkri-mən-ᵊl-ˌīz
decriminalized; decriminalizing
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of
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