as in steals
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
a professional burglar was able to heist a box of jewelry from the safe in the closet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of heists
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Two recent Roxbury city councilors, Tania Fernandes Anderson and Chuck Turner, have ended up in federal prison for assorted heists.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The robbery was believed to be one of eight Chicago-area bank heists pulled by Erickson in a 23-month crime spree that netted nearly $180,000.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The trio of seafood heists underscores the growing concern of cargo theft.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
This is just the latest in a string of shellfish heists bedeviling the Northeast where lobster, crabs, and oysters have gone missing in recent weeks.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
The four-person crew was casing jewelry stores in Sacramento, Lodi, Stockton and the Bay Area before the heists, said Sacramento sheriff’s officials.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
That attack accounted for roughly 40% of the total amount of crypto heists this year.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
Following a group of illusionists, the crew uses their magical tricks to stage a series of heists and right some wrongs.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Noun
Why are so many heists happening in Europe?
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Two recent Roxbury city councilors, Tania Fernandes Anderson and Chuck Turner, have ended up in federal prison for assorted heists.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The robbery was believed to be one of eight Chicago-area bank heists pulled by Erickson in a 23-month crime spree that netted nearly $180,000.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The trio of seafood heists underscores the growing concern of cargo theft.
—Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2026
This is just the latest in a string of shellfish heists bedeviling the Northeast where lobster, crabs, and oysters have gone missing in recent weeks.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
The four-person crew was casing jewelry stores in Sacramento, Lodi, Stockton and the Bay Area before the heists, said Sacramento sheriff’s officials.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
That attack accounted for roughly 40% of the total amount of crypto heists this year.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
Following a group of illusionists, the crew uses their magical tricks to stage a series of heists and right some wrongs.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heists
Noun
-
The Anaheim burglary is the latest in a wave of Pokémon card thefts sweeping Southern California.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Among the offenses deputies are prohibited from starting pursuits for is auto thefts.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anthony may first settle into seasons of roughly 18-22 homers with mid-teens steals before any full breakout, meaning current drafters are paying for future peak production rather than present skills.—
Derek VanRiper,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS VICTORY LAP — Tyler Reddick steals Daytona 500 win in wild last-lap shootout.—
,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … DARING DASH – Sneaky feline swipes a free snack — and it's caught on video.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Soon after, a desperate man named Boomba, who witnessed Ma stealing from the shelter, breaks into her home and swipes her food, her phone, and a purse containing her family’s invaluable travel documents.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heists. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
