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
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.
Novato police arrested four suspects who allegedly conspired to shoplift from a shoe store. Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024 The initiative, if passed, would make the crime of shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for some drug charges, including those involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2024 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 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 24 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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