smash-and-grab
adjective
chiefly British
—used to describe a robbery that is done by breaking a window of a car, store, etc., and stealing whatever can be taken quickly
a smash-and-grab robbery/thief
Examples of smash-and-grab in a Sentence
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Sarno’s crew also engaged in smash-and-grab robberies in which hundreds of thousands of dollars in gems were stolen from jewelry stores and then fenced at a Cicero pawnshop operated by the Outlaws motorcycle gang, according to prosecutors.
—
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
In the first minute of stoppage time, Rennes substitute Ludovic Blas ran through to score, giving the Breton side a smash-and-grab 1-0 win.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
While smash-and-grab thefts are not unusual in the area, tunneling operations are rare, suggesting the burglars may have scoped out the property and planned the heist in advance.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Restock Ave, a streetwear and sneaker shop in Phoenix, was the target of a smash-and-grab burglary early on July 24.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
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Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
In the first minute of stoppage time, Rennes substitute Ludovic Blas ran through to score, giving the Breton side a smash-and-grab 1-0 win.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
While smash-and-grab thefts are not unusual in the area, tunneling operations are rare, suggesting the burglars may have scoped out the property and planned the heist in advance.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Restock Ave, a streetwear and sneaker shop in Phoenix, was the target of a smash-and-grab burglary early on July 24.
—Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for smash-and-grab
Cite this Entry
“Smash-and-grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smash-and-grab. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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