Synonyms of filch

filch

verb

ˈfilch 

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep

too hungry to wait until the party had started, he filched a cookie from the buffet table when no one was looking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steal
• swipe
• pilfer
• purloin
• grab
• lift
• snatch
• rob
• thieve
• misappropriate
• appropriate
• snitch
• pinch
• nip
• hook
• pocket
• run off with
• rip off
• nick
• walk off with
• make away with
• make off with
• hijack
• take
• boost
• pick
• seize
• heist
• plunder
• sack
• loot
• pillage
• burglarize
• shoplift
• knock over
• poach
• rifle
• kidnap
• grasp
• rustle
• abduct
• highjack
• spirit
• nail
• collar
• sponge
• carjack
• shanghai
• mooch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy
• purchase
• give
• contribute
• present
• bestow
• donate
• hand over

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb filch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of filch are pilfer, purloin, and steal. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

When can pilfer be used instead of filch?

The meanings of pilfer and filch largely overlap; however, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When might purloin be a better fit than filch?

While the synonyms purloin and filch are close in meaning, purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

Where would steal be a reasonable alternative to filch?

The words steal and filch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, steal may apply to any surreptitious taking of something and differs from the other terms by commonly applying to intangibles as well as material things.

steal jewels

stole a look at the gifts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of filch

The ability of corporate directors to hang on to their seats as if with prehensile behinds (to filch Orwell’s turn of phrase) underscores the uselessness of corporate boards. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2023

So the first thing to note is that if the charming stranger in this story had filched the woman’s cash or credit cards or phone, no one would have blinked. —Amy X. Wang, New York Times, 26 Sep. 2023

Steady Eddie Westfall, 31, a glue guy in the Cups wins of 1970 and ‘72, was filched in the June expansion draft by the new NHL franchise on Long Island. —Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023

Of all people to filch a flag, Young would be the last you’d finger. —Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 28 July 2021

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