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

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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.
In January alone, three Staten Island outlets were burglarized, and in the Bronx, two robbers held up a Dunkin’ employee at knifepoint. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025 The same group of Chileans that burglarized the homes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Joe Burrow also reportedly committed the crimes at Ja Morant's house. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 21 Feb. 2025 They’re also accused of breaking into and burglarizing other vehicles in the city during an hours-long crime spree. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025 On Monday, King Sr. failed to show up for sentencing in Ramsey County District Court after previously pleading guilty to burglarizing Ol’ Mexico in Roseville in October 2020 and the American Legion in North St. Paul in May 2023. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 May 2025 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

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Browse Nearby Words

burglar alarm
burglarize
burglarproof
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burglarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burglarize. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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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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