petty theft

noun

: the crime of stealing something that does not have a high value

Examples of petty theft in a Sentence

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.
Simmons had been detained by Redondo Beach police just after 4 p.m. on Feb. 23 on a call of a petty theft from a store, according to Redondo Beach Police Lt. Vincent Dileva. Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026 The women, aged 31, 50, and 26, were charged with felony grand theft, and two of them were charged with petty theft with two priors, court records show. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026 In 2020, he was charged with misdemeanor battery and petty theft in Los Angeles. Juan A. Lozano, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 Tony Blain, who resigned from his council seat last fall, is also accused of destruction of public documents and misdemeanor petty theft, according to the criminal complaint filed in October. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petty theft

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petty theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty%20theft. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

petty theft

see also:
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster