as in thief
a person who illegally enters a building in order to steal things; a person who commits burglary
The burglar had broken into several homes in the neighborhood.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of burglar
The analogy floating around is a burglar who can walk into any building, find every hidden weakness, unlock every door, and empty every safe.
—
The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
If the burglars continue even after a spotlight is activated, your home or business security system will be there to take action.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
The latest incidents unfolded Wednesday night in the San Fernando Valley, where burglars hit homes in Studio City and Toluca Lake and targeted a commercial property in a separate theft that led to a police chase.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
They were startled by a mannequin sitting in the passenger seat, dressed in a Michael Myers [the killer from the ‘Halloween’ movies] mask that the victim had placed there to deter would-be burglars.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burglar
The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
If the burglars continue even after a spotlight is activated, your home or business security system will be there to take action.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
The latest incidents unfolded Wednesday night in the San Fernando Valley, where burglars hit homes in Studio City and Toluca Lake and targeted a commercial property in a separate theft that led to a police chase.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
They were startled by a mannequin sitting in the passenger seat, dressed in a Michael Myers [the killer from the ‘Halloween’ movies] mask that the victim had placed there to deter would-be burglars.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burglar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burglar
Noun
-
PragueReuters — An unknown thief snatched an 800-year-old skull believed to be of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk from a display box in a church in the northern Czech Republic and ran away with the relic, police said on Wednesday.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
This adjustable sling bag has plenty of space for your phone, cash, keys, and other daily essentials, and is constructed with locking zippers to ward off potential thieves.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
In at least one instance, the driver was able to fight off a gunman and force the would-be robbers to abandon their plan, prosecutors said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
On his way back he was beaten by robbers.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burglar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burglar. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
