smash-and-grab

adjective

chiefly British
used to describe a robbery that is done by breaking a window of a car, store, etc., and stealing whatever can be taken quickly
a smash-and-grab robbery/thief

Examples of smash-and-grab in a Sentence

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.
If not revenge, that was redemption for the smash-and-grab win Atletico produced in Paris. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 July 2025 Social media allowed ne’er-do-wells to easily organize smash-and-grab attacks. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 2025 Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday afternoon were looking for suspects involved in an apparent smash-and-grab style robbery at a jewelry store in Arden Arcade. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025 At least 13 businesses in Mokena, Frankfort and Tinley Park were targeted in smash-and-grab burglaries early Friday morning, according to the Mokena Police Department. Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for smash-and-grab

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smash-and-grab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smash-and-grab. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!