burglarize

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

verb

bur·glar·ize ˈbər-glə-ˌrīz

also ˈbər-gə-lə-

burglarized; burglarizing

Synonyms of burglarize next

transitive verb

: to break into and steal from

burglarize a house

: 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.

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 Nearly 50 people burglarized an AutoZone after a street takeover in Los Angeles on Monday morning, authorities announced. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024 While Allen is out of jail, he’s been ordered to stay away from the alleged victim, who police say returned from vacation in mid-May to find her house had been burglarized and partially destroyed. —

Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024 Listen to this article Police said at least 43 vehicles were burglarized in Rocky Hill, most having the windows broken. —

Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2024 Continue reading here Clippers center Ivica Zubac’s Encino home burglarized for second time in three years Enjoying this newsletter? —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for burglarize

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burglarize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Burglarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burglarize. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Copy Citation

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

Last Updated: 27 Jun 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

deference

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

burglarize

verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Synonyms

Examples of burglarize in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near burglarize

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition