shoplifted; shoplifting; shoplifts

intransitive verb

: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

Examples of shoplift in a Sentence

The manager saw the kids shoplift and called the police. The kids shoplifted candy from the store.
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.
Zachariah Kent, 30, a Massachusetts State Police trooper from Sutton, was suspended without pay after being accused of shoplifting more than $1,000 worth of merchandise, including golf balls, the agency said. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 24 Dec. 2024 California voters passed Proposition 36, a tough-on-crime ballot question, in the November election in response to concerns about shoplifting across the state. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 From 2019 to 2023, shoplifting incidents rose 93% — and the dollar loss rose 90%, according to a report from the NRF, the Loss Prevention Research Council and Sensormatic Solutions. Mike Snider, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2024 From 2019 to 2023, shoplifting incidents rose 93% – and the dollar loss rose 90%, according to a report out today from the NRF, the Loss Prevention Research Council and Sensormatic Solutions. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shoplift 

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from shoplifter

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoplift was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near shoplift

Cite this Entry

“Shoplift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoplift. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

shoplift

verb
: to steal merchandise on display in stores

Legal Definition

shoplift

intransitive verb
: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

More from Merriam-Webster on shoplift

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!