burglarize

verb

bur·​glar·​ize ˈbər-glə-ˌrīz 

 also  ˈbər-gə-lə-

burglarized; burglarizing

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

• break in
• burgle

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

In Malibu, one man was allegedly caught dressed up as a firefighter and burglarizing a home. —Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025

The two groups allegedly burglarized more than 40 marijuana dispensaries and stole nearly $800,000 in cash and property, the District Attorney’s Office said. —Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2025

More News: Sugar Bowl Delayed in Wake of Deadly New Orleans Attack Sources say the thieves are non-confrontational and avoid burglarizing homes while the residents are present. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was also burglarized recently. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

burglarize

verb

bur·​glar·​ize ˈbər-glə-ˌrīz 

burglarized; burglarizing

: to break into and steal from

burglarize a house

Legal Definition

burglarize

transitive verb

bur·​glar·​ize ˈbər-glə-ˌrīz 

burglarized; burglarizing

: to commit a burglary at

burglarized the apartment