burglary

noun

Definition of burglarynext
as in robbery
the act of illegally entering a building in order to steal things There have been a number of burglaries in the neighborhood in recent months.

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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 burglary Castro is serving a 15-year sentence for a burglary and robbery case in Hillsborough County. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026 After the burglary, Bottiglierivega retreated into her apartment with her children. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 Hughes, 38, has been charged with felony first degree burglary, misdemeanor breaking and entering, and misdemeanor injury to property, the sheriff’s office said. — Mark Price november 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026 Citywide, vehicle burglaries fell about 28% from 2020 to 2025, but the decline has been uneven. — Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burglary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burglary
  1. robbery
  2. theft
  3. stealing
Noun
  • Police in South Africa have arrested five suspects in connection with a violent farm robbery in the North West province in which a 50-year-old farmer was shot and had his ears cut off.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Deputies will continue to respond to all Priority 1 calls, including reports of homicides, assaults, hostage situations, hit-and-run collisions, robberies, shots fired and plane crashes.
    — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of robbery
Noun
  • Marlow’s testimony also challenged the efficacy of Flock cameras and argued that the only situations that they have been studied and found to deter crime is in relation to car thefts and property crimes.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Chinese automakers have benefitted from massive industrial subsidies and low environmental standards, as well as intellectual property theft.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of theft
Noun
  • Blatant, in-your-face lying, cheating and stealing is the norm.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The stealing of Native Americans and their homelands is not just a side story in the grand drama of American history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of stealing

Browse Nearby Words

burglars
burglary
burgle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burglary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burglary. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on burglary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burglary

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