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.

Another complained that police didn’t do anything after his home was burglarized. —

Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 According to Vanity Fair, he was first hired by Kitty and José after the brothers were caught burglarizing two homes. —

Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024 That same year, Williams burglarized a home, and spent a stint in jail before his 1998 conviction for robbing the donut shot. —

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 23 Sep. 2024 The news comes as The Bachelorette contestant Devin Strader’s previous arrest recently came to light amid accusations of burglarizing an ex-girlfriend’s home and repeatedly violating a restraining order. —

Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 20 Sep. 2024 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 22 Nov. 2024.

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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: 4 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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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