Skip to main content
illegalization

illegalization

1 6.7
Making something illegal by law or government decision
  • noun
  • /ɪˌliːɡəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
  • US
translation icon : ilegalización
  • But bear this in mind, too: at least as far as cannabis goes, more and more people are getting the message, and public opinion against the continued illegalization of pot is changing.

Examples

  • The illegalization of certain substances has led to an increase in underground markets.

  • There are plenty of individuals who profit greatly off the illegalization of drugs.

    Blog text (14)
  • The illegalization of political parties was followed by measures to close down entities representing the socialization efforts of ETA, negatively affecting civil society.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Activists are campaigning against the illegalization of peaceful protests in our city.

  • The illegalization of alcohol in the 1920s resulted in widespread organized crime.

Synonyms

prohibition
vsillegalization
  • Formal
48 4.4

An official rule that stops people from doing something

is specifically about making acts illegal rather than just forbidding them
banning
vsillegalization
8 3.9

Making something not allowed by law or officials

is focused on creating a legal offence rather than simply stopping an activity
criminalization
vsillegalization
7 7.7

The act of making something illegal by law

is the broader phrase for making something illegal by law or decision

Antonyms

52 4.1

Making something allowed by law

How Restricted

illegalization
  • US
1 6.7
restriction
340 3.0
regulation
167 3.8
legalization
  • US
52 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

illegalization = illegalize (transparent) = il + legal + ize + ation

The noun is a standard nominalization of the verb 'illegalize' (i.e., 'to make illegal') and therefore directly expresses 'the act or process of making illegal'.

Etymology

Illegalization begins with illegal (the prefix in- means 'not' and legal means 'allowed by law') and ends with -ization, a common ending meaning 'making' or 'the act of'. So illegalization is the act of making something 'not allowed by law'.