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Burglar vs Housebreaker - What's the difference?

burglar | housebreaker | Synonyms |

As nouns the difference between burglar and housebreaker

is that burglar is a thief who steals from premises while housebreaker is a criminal who breaks into and enters another's house or premises with the intent of committing a crime.

burglar

English

(burglary)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A thief who steals from premises.
    • The burglar made off with a large diamond from the museum.

    Related terms

    * burglarize * burglary * burgle * burglar alarm * cat burglar

    See also

    * robber * thief

    housebreaker

    English

    Alternative forms

    * house-breaker, house breaker

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A criminal who breaks into and enters another's house or premises with the intent of committing a crime.
  • * 1869 , , He Knew He Was Right , ch. 12:
    • [H]e is dressed in such a rapscallion manner that the people would think you were talking to a house-breaker .
  • * 1968 , " ‘Infuriated’ vicar's wife routs interloper," Montreal Gazette (Canada), 19 Nov., p. 9 (retrieved 21 Sep 2010):
    • The vicar seized a sword and routed the housebreaker , but it was the vicar's wife in an nightgown and coat who caught up with the fleeing intruder, slapped his face and held him by the neck.
  • * 2009 , " Serial housebreaker nabbed ," AsiaOne (Singapore), 20 May (retrieved 21 Sep 2010):
    • A serial housebreaker who is believed to have stolen from several homes in Ang Mo Kio last month was nabbed on Tuesday.