decriminalize
pronunciation
How to pronounce decriminalize in British English:
UK [di:ˈkrɪmɪnəlaɪz]
How to pronounce decriminalize in American English:
US [diˈkrɪmənəˌlaɪz]
-
- Verb:
- make legal
Word Origin
- decriminalize (v.)
- 1963, "to reform a criminal," back-formation from decriminalization. Meaning "to make legal something that formerly had been illegal" was in use by 1970 (there are isolated instances back to 1867). Related: Decriminalized; decriminalizing.
Example
- 1. Did china ever decriminalize homosexual ?
- 2. Ultimately , the sex workers in this case are trying to decriminalize the activities .
- 3. Last year the government announced plans to decriminalize marijuana .
- 4. Sex workers ask the government to decriminalize prostitution .
- 5. In recent years , states have begun to decriminalize marijuana , one of the least addictive and less damaging drugs .