kleptomania

noun

klep·​to·​ma·​nia ˌklep-tə-ˈmā-nē-ə 

-nyə

: a persistent neurotic impulse to steal especially without economic motive

Examples of kleptomania in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After a snail gets lodged in her exhaust pipe, Ingerborg’s kleptomania screws her during a subway trip to the office. — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

And so, farewell, disgraced ex-state trooper Calvin Butner, hit with a slap on the wrist in federal court for his kleptomania yesterday. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025

Not all our spelling woes are due to the kleptomania of the English lexicon. — James Harbeck, The Week, 17 Jan. 2022

The play takes the time to introduce their respective demons — alcoholism, kleptomania and violence, among them — then moves on with little resolution. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

klepto- + -mania

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kleptomania

• leishmania
• urania
• collectanea
• hypomania
• miscellanea
• monomania
• mania
• taenia
• megalomania

Kids Definition

kleptomania

noun

klep·​to·​ma·​nia ˌklep-tə-ˈmā-nē-ə 

-nyə

: a continuous abnormal desire to steal

Medical Definition

kleptomania

noun

klep·​to·​ma·​nia ˌklep-tə-ˈmā-nē-ə, -nyə 

: a persistent neurotic impulse to steal especially without economic motive