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decriminalize

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅crim⋅i⋅nal⋅ize

  [dee-krim-uh-nl-ahyz]
Use decriminalize in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -ized, -iz⋅ing.
to eliminate criminal penalties for or remove legal restrictions against: to decriminalize marijuana.
Also, especially British, de⋅crim⋅i⋅nal⋅ise.

Origin:
1965–70, Americanism; de- + criminal + -ize

Related forms:
de⋅crim⋅i⋅nal⋅i⋅za⋅tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To decriminalize
de·crim·i·nal·ize   (dē-krĭm'ə-nə-līz')   
tr.v.   de·crim·i·nal·ized, de·crim·i·nal·iz·ing, de·crim·i·nal·iz·es
To reduce or abolish criminal penalties for: decriminalize the use of marijuana.
de·crim'i·nal·i·za'tion (-lĭ-zā'shən) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·crim·i·nal·ize
Pronunciation: dE-'kri-m&n-&l-"Iz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -ized; -iz·ing
: to remove or reduce the criminal classification or status of —de·crim·i·nal·iza·tion /dE-"kri-m&n-&l-&-'zA-sh&n/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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