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 Four of those held were charged, with the two thought to have carried out the burglary charged with organized theft, among other crimes. — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026 The department said ALPRs have led to the arrests of suspects in cases of homicide, theft, child abuse, burglary and among other crimes. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 Lanier was charged with Class 2 felonies for the two Oak Lawn burglaries, according to the Cook County circuit court filings. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Another six charges in Ada County, ranging from burglary to grand theft, were dismissed, court records showed. — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for burglary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burglary
  1. robbery
  2. theft
  3. stealing
Noun
  • In April 2023, Towsley received a tip from an inmate at a Florida prison that another inmate might know about Heron’s murder — Hanfield, who was sentenced to prison in 2008 for a robbery in Broward County and is serving a 25-year sentence.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Two felony robbery charges were dismissed as part of that plea.
    — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of robbery
Noun
  • Joke theft, a phenomenon predating the art form of stand-up comedy, has entered an uncanny new era.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The company's preliminary findings do not definitively rule out data theft.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 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
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Cite this Entry

“Burglary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burglary. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on burglary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burglary

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