shoplift

verb

shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
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 Other subjects tackled in the book include Hollywood’s gentleman jewel thief Gerard Graham Dennis, Walter Wanger’s crime of passion against Jennings Lang and even Winona Ryder’s early aughts shoplifting scandal. Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024 For the first half of 2024, shoplifting increased by 24 percent compared to the same time frame last year, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 7 Oct. 2024 So, cops stopped responding to shoplifting complaints. George Skelton, The Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2024 And the varying degrees of penalties for shoplifting in different states continue to be a contentious issue. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 3 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for shoplift 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shoplift.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

shoplift

verb
shop·​lift -ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: to steal merchandise on display in stores

Legal Definition

shoplift

intransitive verb
shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: 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
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