housebreaking

noun

Definition of housebreakingnext
as in burglary

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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 housebreaking Last week, the suspects were returned to Grenada, where they were all charged with two counts of capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and two counts of kidnapping. — Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 The three inmates were also charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery, and two counts of kidnapping. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024 Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; Atiba Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Trevon Robertson, a 23-year-old unemployed man, were charged with capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. — CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 The three suspects have also been charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. — Michael Rios, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Sometimes armed with rifles, the settlers intermittently engage in housebreaking, sheep stealing and vandalism. — Steven Erlanger Sergey Ponomarev, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for housebreaking
  1. burglary
  2. robbery
  3. larceny
  4. stealing
  5. thievery
Noun
  • Aaron Child, a 19-year-old from Boise, was arrested on suspicion of felony burglary and also two probation violations.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
  • The intruder, later identified as Andrew Truelove, was charged with hate crime - burglary, hate crime - menacing, hate crime - criminal trespass, and harassment by the NYPD.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of burglary
Noun
  • Authorities said the inmate had been in custody since April 10, 2024, while awaiting trial on charges of robbery, criminal threats, brandishing a weapon and petty theft.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • Further information about the robbery was not immediately available.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of robbery
Noun
  • Both suspects now face additional charges, including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Wayne White, 63, of Detroit, is charged with three counts of larceny by conversion ($20,000 or more), each a 10-year felony.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Definition of larceny
Noun
  • Like the first book of the trilogy, this one unfolds entirely in dialogue—only instead of giving us a narrator whose hat was stolen, this story is narrated by the fish who did the stealing.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
  • Luke Locklear, 29, of Lumberton, is charged with felony conspiracy, and altering/stealing/destroying criminal evidence by taking it from the home and burning it, a warrant says.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026
Definition of stealing
Noun
  • While some have suffered thievery before, they’ve typically been targeted by institutional or industry insiders.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026
  • Instead, this is a story of thievery.
    — Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
Definition of thievery

Browse Nearby Words

housebreakers
housebreaking
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Cite this Entry

“Housebreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/housebreaking. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on housebreaking

Nglish: Translation of housebreaking for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about housebreaking

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