Meaning & use
decriminalize
To remove or reduce criminal penalties for an act, so that it is no longer treated as a crime.
See it in a sentence
Several states voted to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
Lawmakers debated whether decriminalizing jaywalking would reduce unnecessary police stops.
A note on using this word
Decriminalize is not identical to legalize; a decriminalized act may still be against the rules but no longer carries criminal punishment.
Words with a similar meaning
legalize
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
criminalizeoutlaw
Make it your own
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