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 Learn More about theft

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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

USA Today reports that Dolezal/Diallo is charged with first-degree theft by welfare fraud, making false verification and second-degree perjury. — Angela Helm, The Root, "Rachel Dolezal Booked and Released From Jail on Welfare Fraud Charges," 4 July 2018 According to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Folk was charged this time around with petty theft. — Madeleine Marr, miamiherald, "He had just been released from jail. His freedom lasted exactly 6 hours and 9 minutes," 29 June 2018 Glenn Cody, 52, of the 600 block of Pondersa Drive, was charged Tuesday with theft $100 to $1,500. — Erika Butler, The Aegis, "Police blotter," 28 June 2018 The teen had been charged with auto theft on May 31, police said. — Christine Dempsey, courant.com, "HPD: 7th Auto Theft Charge For Teen Shot While Behind The Wheel Of Stolen Car," 12 June 2018 Holt was charged with theft of less than $1,000 in November, according to court documents. — Sarah Meehan, baltimoresun.com, "Video depicting Baltimore County officer stopping shopper goes viral," 11 June 2018 That story required an understanding of how his parents met and fell in love, and that in turn meant going back to the very genesis of it all, with the theft of a lump of gold from the bottom of the Rhine. — Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Bingeing on ‘Breaking Bad’ or ‘The Wire’? Wagner’s ‘Ring’ paved the way," 30 May 2018 Rachel Dolezal, who legally changed her name to Nkechi Diallo in 2016, was charged this week with theft by welfare fraud, perjury and false verification for public assistance, Spokane news station KHQ-TV reported Thursday. — NBC News, "Rachel Dolezal, former NAACP leader who posed as black, charged with welfare fraud," 25 May 2018 Dolezal was charged this week with theft by welfare fraud, perjury and false verification for public assistance, court documents show. — Faith Karimi, CNN, "Rachel Dolezal, white woman who portrayed herself as black, accused of welfare fraud," 25 May 2018

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.