FILCH Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'filch' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of filch are pilfer , purloin , and steal . While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously. // filched an apple from the tray

Q: When can 'pilfer' be used instead of 'filch'?

The meanings of pilfer and filch largely overlap; however, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts. // pilfered from his employer

Q: When might 'purloin' be a better fit than 'filch'?

While the synonyms purloin and filch are close in meaning, purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes. // printed a purloined document

Q: Where would 'steal' be a reasonable alternative to 'filch'?

The words steal and filch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, steal may apply to any surreptitious taking of something and differs from the other terms by commonly applying to intangibles as well as material things. // steal jewels // stole a look at the gifts

filch

verb

ˈfilch

Definition of filch next

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep too hungry to wait until the party had started, he filched a cookie from the buffet table when no one was looking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb filch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of filch are pilfer, purloin, and steal. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

When can pilfer be used instead of filch?

The meanings of pilfer and filch largely overlap; however, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When might purloin be a better fit than filch?

While the synonyms purloin and filch are close in meaning, purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

Where would steal be a reasonable alternative to filch?

The words steal and filch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, steal may apply to any surreptitious taking of something and differs from the other terms by commonly applying to intangibles as well as material things.

steal jewels

stole a look at the gifts

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of filch Steady Eddie Westfall, 31, a glue guy in the Cups wins of 1970 and ‘72, was filched in the June expansion draft by the new NHL franchise on Long Island. —

Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023 Potentially a far stickier problem, akin to Carolina filching forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi from the Canadiens, is that any one of 31 other teams could deem Swayman, 24, as their franchise goaltender and drop a big number ($6 million?) on a deal of, say, 4-7 years. —

Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2023 The Penguins’ knockout blow officially came on Wednesday, when the Islanders filched the East’s last available berth by picking up a 4-2 win at the Bell Centre drive-by window. —

Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Apr. 2023 Of all people to filch a flag, Young would be the last you’d finger. —

Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 28 July 2021 See all Example Sentences for filch