shoplift

verb

shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
shoplifted; shoplifting; shoplifts
Synonyms of shopliftnext

intransitive verb

: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

Examples of shoplift in a Sentence

The manager saw the kids shoplift and called the police. The kids shoplifted candy from the store.
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.
William Scott Cantwell, 19, of Warwick, Rhode Island faces four charges, which include conspiracy, disorderly conduct, shoplifting by concealing merchandise and interfering with a police officer. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 A little over a month later, he was caught shoplifting in Chicago, arrested and released again, DHS said. Matt Gutman, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 On Tuesday morning, the suspect, Noemi Guzman, 31, shoplifted the knife from inside Walmart, according to store surveillance footage, the Omaha Police Department (OPD) said in a news release. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 Store surveillance footage showed Guzman shoplifting the knife from inside the store and then approaching the child and his guardian and brandishing the knife, according to police. Jack Moore, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoplift

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from shoplifter

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoplift was in 1756

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoplift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoplift. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

shoplift

verb
shop·​lift -ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: to steal merchandise on display in stores

Legal Definition

shoplift

intransitive verb
shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

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