theft

noun

\ ˈtheft

Definition of theft

1a : the act of stealing specifically : the felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it

b : an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property

2 : a stolen base in baseball

3 obsolete : something stolen

Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing theft Learn More About theft

Examples of theft in a Sentence

The theft of the jewelry and other valuables was immediately reported to the police. He was found guilty of theft.

Recent Examples on the Web This theft is what made the Mona Lisa famous on a global scale — before that, it was considered one of Leonardo's minor works, ARTnews reports, but the disappearance made headlines and got the world interested in its whereabouts. — Catherine Garcia, The Week, 6 June 2022 With unemployment benefits, however, the theft could be significant. — Tony Romm And Yeganeh Torbati, Anchorage Daily News, 15 May 2022 Copper theft has been widespread in South Africa for years, with thieves targeting industries including mining, transportation, and telecommunications. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 14 May 2022 In beat 1833, retail theft was down 60% over the same period. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2022 Identity theft is the use of your personal information or financial information without your permission. — Yec, Forbes, 6 May 2022 Oil theft and artisanal refining of crude oil is a common practice in the Nigeria's delta region. — Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 25 Apr. 2022 In many ways, the theft is the least exciting part of the story. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2022 The 1990 theft was the biggest art heist in modern history. — Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.