burglarize

verb

bur·​glar·​ize ˈbər-glə-ˌrīz How to pronounce burglarize (audio)
also ˈbər-gə-lə-
burglarized; burglarizing
Synonyms of burglarizenext

transitive verb

1
: to break into and steal from
burglarize a house
2
: to commit burglary against

intransitive verb

: to commit burglary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between burglarize and rob?

To burglarize is "to break into and enter of a building with the intent to commit a crime, often theft," whereas rob means " to take personal property from by violence or threat." Burglary need not entail violence or threat, and robbery need not entail breaking into a dwelling.

Is the verb form of burglary, burgle or burglarize?

The verb form of burglary can be either burglarize or burgle. "Burglarize," like many verb forms, is made by adding the suffix -ize, and this form is more common in American English. Burgle is a back-formation (a word formed by subtraction of a real or supposed affix from an already existing longer word), and is more common in British English. Both are widely accepted as correct.

Is burglarized a real word?

Yes, it is, and so is burgle. While both variants of the verb, burgle and burglarize, have been disparaged since they entered the language in the middle of the 19th century, both are real words, and both have come to be widely accepted.

Synonyms of burglarize

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Examples of burglarize in a Sentence

the Watergate scandal began when Republican operatives burglarized the Democratic Party's headquarters in Washington, D.C. before they were caught, the thieves had burglarized dozens of houses around the city
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The homes had been burglarized and the women had been raped at knifepoint and beaten; some were also bound and gagged. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 The man told the resident that a neighbor's house was on fire as a distraction, while others walked in and burglarized the house. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Business owners said they had been held at gunpoint, burglarized and even physically harmed. — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 Police said an employee reported that an unknown suspect burglarized the business, stole items and fled in a vehicle. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for burglarize

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of burglarize was in 1840

Rhymes for burglarize

See All Rhymes for burglarize

Browse Nearby Words

burglarious
burglarize
burglarproof
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burglarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burglarize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

burglarize

verb
bur·​glar·​ize ˈbər-glə-ˌrīz How to pronounce burglarize (audio)
burglarized; burglarizing
: to break into and steal from
burglarize a house

Legal Definition

burglarize

transitive verb
bur·​glar·​ize ˈbər-glə-ˌrīz How to pronounce burglarize (audio)
burglarized; burglarizing
: to commit a burglary at
burglarized the apartment

More from Merriam-Webster on burglarize

Nglish: Translation of burglarize for Spanish Speakers

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