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 Leritz was convicted last year of motor vehicle theft in Anoka County, and he was charged in August with felony burglary in Ramsey County. — Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 25 Aug. 2026 Santa Monica in 2025 saw an overall decline of more than 12% in violent crime and burglaries, compared to 2024, according to the department’s annual report, released in March. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 The two occupants both suffered injuries during the burglary and struggle. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 Hashtag 95, a brunch restaurant on West 95th Street in Oak Lawn, removed its five video gaming terminals after its second burglary about five months ago, according to general manager Madelyn Mullen. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burglary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burglary
  1. robbery
  2. theft
  3. stealing
Noun
  • Continue reading … HOLIDAY HAZARD — Travelers warned of drink-spiking robberies and kidnappings at vacation hot spot.
    — , FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • At an archeological museum in Alicante, Spain, last Thursday — the very day of the Vienna robbery — thieves took dozens of gold and silver Bronze Age artifacts from a collection known as the Treasure of Villena.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of robbery
Noun
  • In the same time, shootings plunged 48%, robberies 35% and car thefts 20% — and those levels have generally improved or held this year.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fortune reported on the tactic a decade ago, when fraud accounted for roughly one in 10 cargo thefts, and food was the most attractive target, since it can be resold through unscrupulous distributors with no serial numbers to trace.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of theft
Noun
  • The victim later told police the woman had been fired from her company after being suspected of stealing, the warrant affidavit said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This kind of stealing of consensus is hardly new to American politics, true enough.
    — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of stealing

Browse Nearby Words

burglars
burglary
burgle
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Cite this Entry

“Burglary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burglary. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on burglary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burglary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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