burglarized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burglarized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of illegally entering a building with the intent to commit theft. Example: "The police reported that the local store was burglarized last night, and several valuable items were stolen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This history, dubbed the "Pentagon Papers," was an embarrassment to Nixon, and, in an attempt to obtain damaging information about Ellsberg, the plumbers burglarized the office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist in September 1971.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These programs were exposed in 1971 when the Citizens Commissionn to Investigate the FBI burglarized an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, stole confidential files, and then released them to the press.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The room is a mess because she has not straightened up since the last time the house was burglarized.

The New Yorker

One of our few neighbors who had not yet flown to Spain was burglarized while she was upstairs asleep.

The New Yorker

Two burglar-squad detectives were assigned the job finding out how many of these places had been burglarized in recent years.

The New Yorker

Telling people this erases the sympathy I get for being burglarized, so I'm always inclined to leave it out.

The New Yorker

She and her roommate had the place completely burglarized.

The New Yorker

At 687 Yetman, George and Patricia Dresch and their thirteen-year-old daughter, Angela, had stayed in their house to protect it, because they had been burglarized during Hurricane Irene.

The New Yorker

When the Kittredge house is burglarized in a crime wave that the newspapers are blaming on vagrants, the plot becomes a mild mystery that Kit tries to solve for the sake of her young hobo friend, Will Max Thieriott).

The New Yorker

On one of the days that the program aired, Turing came home to find that his house had been burglarized.

The New Yorker

The only perk I can see is that,… There are plenty of things I take for granted, but not being burglarized was never one of them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "burglarized", ensure the context clearly indicates that the illegal entry was with the intent to commit a theft. Avoid using it when only damage or vandalism occurred without theft.

Common error

Avoid using "burglarized" when the crime involves confronting the victim directly (robbery). "Burglarized" specifically refers to entering a building illegally to commit theft when no one is present.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "burglarized" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb burglarize. It's used to describe an action that has already occurred, specifically the act of illegally entering a building with the intention of committing a theft. Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable nature of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "burglarized" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb, primarily within the realm of news and media, to depict the act of illegally entering a building with the intention of committing theft. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of this term. While alternatives like "robbed" or "burgled" exist, "burglarized" specifically highlights the illegal entry aspect. Its neutral register makes it suitable for factual reporting. To avoid confusion, remember that "burglarized" should only be used when the primary intention was theft and no direct confrontation occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was burgled

A British English synonym for "burglarized".

was robbed

A more general term for theft, which doesn't necessarily imply illegal entry into a building.

was hit by burglars

A more informal way of saying "burglarized".

had a break-in

Focuses on the act of breaking into a property, rather than the theft itself.

had thieves break in

Emphasizes the perpetrators and their act of entering illegally.

was the victim of a burglary

Highlights the person or entity affected by the crime.

suffered a burglary

A more formal and passive way of describing the event.

had their home invaded

Emphasizes the intrusion and violation of personal space.

experienced a theft

A broader term focusing on the act of something being stolen.

had their property stolen from

Focuses on the loss of property due to theft.

FAQs

How to use "burglarized" in a sentence?

Use "burglarized" to describe a situation where a building was illegally entered with the intent to commit theft, for example: "The store was "burglarized" last night."

What can I say instead of "burglarized"?

You can use alternatives like "robbed", "burgled" (British English), or "had a break-in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "burglarized" or "robbed"?

"Burglarized" refers specifically to the act of entering a building illegally to commit theft. "Robbed" is a more general term for theft and can involve confronting the victim directly. Therefore, the correct word depends on the specific circumstances.

What's the difference between "burglarized" and "vandalized"?

"Burglarized" means entering a building illegally with the intent to commit theft. "Vandalized" means deliberately damaging or destroying property. A building can be vandalized without being burglarized, and vice versa, although they can also occur together.