steal 1 of 2

steal

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb steal differ from other similar words?

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

In what contexts can filch take the place of steal?

The meanings of filch and steal largely overlap; however, filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

When might pilfer be a better fit than steal?

While the synonyms pilfer and steal are close in meaning, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When could purloin be used to replace steal?

The synonyms purloin and steal are sometimes interchangeable, but purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

Example 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 steal
Verb
The Bucs need more daredevil defenders who can wheel and steal the football. Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025 She was accused of drugging both men in their hotel rooms and stealing from them, but the charges were dismissed because the victims did not want to testify in court, Colbert's attorney for those cases, Daniel Lippmann, told The Associated Press. Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
Hayden Gray, the Big West Defensive Player of the Year and the national leader in steals, came from Azusa Pacific. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, Jordan Gainey had a well-rounded game, scoring 16 points and adding four boards, five assists, and three steals. Kilty Cleary, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steal
Verb
  • On Thursday, the New York Islanders swiped a 2026 first-round pick and high-end prospect Calum Ritchie from the Colorado Avalanche for Brock Nelson, who will also be unrestricted.
    Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • A little more than an hour later, four suspects struck again, stealing a 23-year-old man’s wallet and $100 from his car in the same neighborhood, before swiping one of his cards at a Target on Tenth Ave.
    Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • North Carolina snuck into the men’s draw as the final team chosen, a notable decision given that a) UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham is chair of the selection committee, and b) Cunningham earned a $68,000 bonus for the Tar Heels’ selection.
    Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Among the messages from Kori found by police were texts that called the girl beautiful, asked her to sneak out and come visit him.
    John Lynch, arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • From convenient weeknight supper ideas packed with flavor to pretty tablecloths and settings that will upgrade your Easter entertaining, there are bargains down every aisle of ALDI to serve up fresh inspiration around your house.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
  • One way to maximize pricing efficiency is to raise standard prices but keep special offerings priced low, offering something of value to the bargain hunters in the customer base.
    AllBusiness, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The two used threatening notes to rob a Bank of America and an East West Bank in San Francisco on Nov. 19, 2022, netting a sum total of $2,600.
    Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Newly divorced and having lost his job, Coop decides to start robbing his rich neighbors.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Kirk Cousins lurks as a possible target down the line if the Falcons ever let him out of Atlanta.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Karan’s bent-toed geckos were found lurking at night on rocks and boulders along a trail between villages, the study said.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The law is clear: any deal must eliminate Chinese influence and control over the app to ...
    John Moolenaar, National Review, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Most notably, Microsoft has a deal to restart the infamous Three Mile Island fission facility that was the site of the worst nuclear accident in the U.S.
    The Editors, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • He’s minimized the walks, partly due to his willingness to use his curveball early in counts for strikes to get ahead and grab count leverage.
    Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • To help balance his budget, the governor wants to grab roughly $300 million from the $10 billion climate bond approved overwhelmingly by voters in November.
    George Skelton, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Traction was excellent, and rolling on a bit of throttle in some corners allowed for some wheel slip from the powerful hub motor.
    William Roberson, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • His ostensibly innocuous shot from well above the left circle clipped Dostál and then slipped through him to open the scoring.
    Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Steal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steal. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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