What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
burglary
Example
The police are investigating a burglary that occurred last night at the jewelry store. [burglary: noun]
Example
He was arrested for attempting to commit burglary by breaking into someone's house. [burglary: gerund or present participle]
heist
Example
The gang pulled off a daring heist, stealing millions of dollars from the bank. [heist: noun]
Example
They were caught in the act of attempting to heist a famous painting from the museum. [heist: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Burglary is a more commonly used term in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of theft-related crimes. Heist is less common and often associated with more dramatic and high-profile criminal activities.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between burglary and heist?
Both burglary and heist are generally considered informal terms. However, heist may carry a slightly more exciting and glamorous connotation, making it suitable for use in informal or creative contexts.
