housebreaking

noun

Definition of housebreakingnext
as in burglary

Related Words

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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
  • He was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole and an additional 10 years for burglary.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026
  • Washington Township Police said an arrest warrant has been issued for 31-year-old Rafael Gordian, of Philadelphia, in connection with the burglary at Frank's, but officers are still looking for him.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of burglary
Noun
  • While the subject matter shifted from bank robberies to art heists, the essence of the character as an effortlessly cool, independent wealthy titan of industry who stole for the thrill of it remained the same.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
  • Her most challenging case was that of a cousin who sustained multiple gunshot wounds during a robbery.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Definition of robbery
Noun
  • Inscoe turned himself in a few hours later, and was charged with two counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill/inflicting serious injury, and felony larceny of a motor vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
    — Mark Price July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • The teen is charged with third-degree robbery, third-degree assault, and larceny of motor vehicle, according to Murgo.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
Definition of larceny
Noun
  • Nathaniel Pearson of Raytown was charged Tuesday with first degree assault, armed criminal action and attempted stealing of a motor vehicle, the prosecutor’s office said in a Wednesday news release.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of stealing
Noun
  • The teaser shows Jordan as Crown pulling off a number of dangerous stunts against a backdrop of slick cities, breathtaking landscapes, and museums with top-of-the-line security measures that can’t stand up against the wiles of his debonair thievery.
    — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026
  • While some have suffered thievery before, they’ve typically been targeted by institutional or industry insiders.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of thievery

Browse Nearby Words

housebreakers
housebreaking
housebreakings
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Cite this Entry

“Housebreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/housebreaking. Accessed 6 Aug. 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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