noun
criminality
krim-ih-NAL-ih-tee/ˌkrɪmɪˈnæləti/
The character of conduct that breaks criminal law.
The organized theft and concealment of valuables reveal the group's criminality.
Etymology
Built on the adjective “criminal,” the state-or-quality ending names the condition of being criminal. In this sense, that condition is seen in behavior involving crime or a tendency toward it.
In context
a high threshold for criminality. For the new offences, it has to be proven that the behaviour is threatening or abusive
More examples
- Ignorance of the law does not erase the criminality of an act.
- The judge considers the criminality of the conduct, not its popularity.
- Poor judgment alone does not establish criminality.
Forms
criminality
criminal adjective — Involving conduct that violates criminal law.
criminalize verb — To make an act punishable by law.
Similar words
- illegality
- Covers violations of any law, not just criminal law.
- wrongdoing
- Includes immoral or improper conduct that may be legal.