as in thieves
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.
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Recent Examples of burglars
Chicago police issued a warning over the weekend about burglars targeting homes on Chicago's South Side.
—
Natalie Goldstick, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
In that case, the burglars entered through a bedroom window but fled after tripping an alarm, police said.
—City News Service, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Actor Daniel Stern, who played one of the burglars breaking into Kevin McCallister's home in classic Christmas movie Home Alone, is in legal trouble in real life.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
By 2001 coyotes were so much in the news in the Windy City that in that year Chicago homeowners listed them—not street gangs, not burglars, but coyotes—as the single greatest threat to their safety.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
In addition to taking the cash register, the burglars stole recently delivered inventory.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Quite literally as that happened, three masked burglars broke into Shedeur's home and stole $200,000 worth of goods.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Police said Garcia was charged with third-degree burglary and possession of burglars tools.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Prosecuting lawyer David Patience claimed that because the burglars’ victims were targeted because of their sexuality, the robberies could be viewed as hate crimes.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 23 Dec. 2025
Natalie Goldstick, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
In that case, the burglars entered through a bedroom window but fled after tripping an alarm, police said.
—City News Service, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Actor Daniel Stern, who played one of the burglars breaking into Kevin McCallister's home in classic Christmas movie Home Alone, is in legal trouble in real life.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
By 2001 coyotes were so much in the news in the Windy City that in that year Chicago homeowners listed them—not street gangs, not burglars, but coyotes—as the single greatest threat to their safety.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
In addition to taking the cash register, the burglars stole recently delivered inventory.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Quite literally as that happened, three masked burglars broke into Shedeur's home and stole $200,000 worth of goods.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Police said Garcia was charged with third-degree burglary and possession of burglars tools.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Prosecuting lawyer David Patience claimed that because the burglars’ victims were targeted because of their sexuality, the robberies could be viewed as hate crimes.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burglars
Noun
-
That's how one homeowner said two thieves started his car on Palma Lane.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Masked thieves jumped out and used trash cans, crowbars and hammers to smash every showcase, Ramzy Tabello, the owner, told freelance news videographer OC Hawk.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The victim, a conceal and carry license holder, drew his weapon and opened fire, striking one of the robbers multiple times to the leg.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Police describe them as a band of determined robbers who followed a man and his wife from a wholesale tobacco supplier in San Leandro to a parking lot in Concord.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burglars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burglars. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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