theft

theft

noun

Definition of THEFT

1

the unlawful taking and carrying away of property without the consent of its owner <while violent crime in the city has decreased dramatically, rates of theft and vandalism have risen slightly>

Synonyms larceny, robbery, stealing, thievery

Related Words burglary, housebreaking; embezzlement, embezzling, graft, misapplication, misappropriation, peculation; petit larceny, petty larceny; filching, pilferage, pilfering, purloining, shoplifting; abduction, carjacking, hijacking (also highjacking), kidnapping (also kidnaping), shanghaiing; despoilment, despoliation, looting, pillage, plundering, rapine, spoliation; poaching, rustling; black marketeering, smuggling; banditry, piracy

2

an instance of theft <the police found the stolen car an hour after the theft was reported>

Synonyms grab, heist, pinch, rip-off, snatching, swiping

Related Words break-in, burglary, holdup, mugging, stickup