Decriminalize
Pronunciation: /diːˌkrɪmənəˈlaɪz/
Decriminalize (verb)
- To stop treating an act as a crime, so people are no longer prosecuted under criminal law.
- To replace criminal penalties with non-criminal consequences, such as fines or administrative actions.
Examples
- The law decriminalizes small offenses to reduce punishment.
- They decriminalize the act, so it is no longer treated as a crime.