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

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 Kansas City-area homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were burglarized in October, according to multiple local news outlets citing authorities. —

Wayne Sterling, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025 In addition, the homes of NBA guard Mike Conley Jr. and Bobby Portis have been burglarized. —

Jon Haworth, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2025 Another high-profile athlete has been burglarized while away from their home during a game. —

Sean Neumann, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025 Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home broken into on Nov. 2. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić's home was burglarized at the end of December. —

Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 15 Jan. 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

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 2 Feb. 2025.

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: 2 Feb 2025 - 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

presage

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