Antonyms of verb criminalize

1 of 2 senses of criminalize

Sense 2
outlaw, criminalize, criminalise, illegalize, illegalise -- (declare illegal; outlaw; "Marijuana is criminalized in the U.S.")
       Antonym of decriminalize (Sense 1)
      => legalize, legalise, decriminalize, decriminalise, legitimize, legitimise, legitimate, legitimatize, legitimatise -- (make legal; "Marijuana should be legalized")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb criminalize

2 senses of criminalize

Sense 1
criminalize -- (treat as a criminal)
       => treat, handle, do by -- (interact in a certain way; "Do right by her"; "Treat him with caution, please"; "Handle the press reporters gently")

Sense 2
outlaw, criminalize, criminalise, illegalize, illegalise -- (declare illegal; outlaw; "Marijuana is criminalized in the U.S.")
       => forbid, prohibit, interdict, proscribe, veto, disallow, nix -- (command against; "I forbid you to call me late at night"; "Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store"; "Dad nixed our plans")