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.
The majority, 430, of the crimes reported in the Southeastern District have been shoplifting incidents. Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 16 May 2026 In the year preceding the event, Trevor went from shoplifting cigarettes to stealing a motorbike parked at the nearby community of Azalea. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 11 May 2026 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 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 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 20 May. 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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