criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
2
: criminal activity
urban criminality
Examples of criminality in a Sentence
a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers
Recent Examples on the Web
Thus, Ahmed’s Hamlet discovers not just his father’s murder and betrayal but also the criminality on which his family’s entire wealth has been built. —
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 But your research suggests that there might be genetic factors that lead to aggressive behavior or other forms of criminality. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 For much of the 20th century in the United States, tattoos were associated with rebellion and criminality — linked to prisoners, gangs and subcultures, as well as servicemen like sailors and soldiers. —Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026 Durov was arrested in France in 2024 and charged with enabling various forms of criminality on his app. —Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminality
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 But your research suggests that there might be genetic factors that lead to aggressive behavior or other forms of criminality. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 For much of the 20th century in the United States, tattoos were associated with rebellion and criminality — linked to prisoners, gangs and subcultures, as well as servicemen like sailors and soldiers. —Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026 Durov was arrested in France in 2024 and charged with enabling various forms of criminality on his app. —Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminality
Cite this Entry
“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/criminality. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
criminality
noun
crim·i·nal·i·ty ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being criminal
can't understand the criminality of his act
2
: crime sense 3
violent criminality
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
