kleptomaniac

noun

Definition of kleptomaniacnext
as in klepto

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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 kleptomaniac The parks department has even posted signs on the beach warning visitors about Cecil’s kleptomaniac habits. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2025 The longtime psych-rock staple co-wrote the album with filmmaker Matt Yoka to be a collection of American stories about hopeless kleptomaniacs, urban explorers, and other people who slip through the cracks. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 30 May 2025 Joined by a kleptomaniac fox (Awkwafina), a brusque pangolin (Ke Huy Quan) and a trio of ferocious little bunnies, Po sets out to defeat a sorcerer named the Chameleon (Viola Davis). — Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 The stigma kleptomaniacs face can leave them feeling ashamed, embarrassed or afraid to seek support. — Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The book, which chronicles the exploits of a kinky kleptomaniac, has been optioned for the screen, but has stalled due to the strikes. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kleptomaniac
  1. klepto
  2. embezzler
  3. burglar
  4. thief
  5. pickpocket
  6. shoplifter
Noun
  • Companies currying favor have been replaced with those reacting to a climate of fear—of punishing lawsuits, of punitive regulatory reactions—fear that democracy is being replaced by a kind of klepto-feudalism.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The first trilogy borrowed greedily from Flash Gordon and Japanese samurai movies, and set a precedent for future klepto-cinema.
    — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 20 Dec. 2017
Definition of klepto
Noun
  • To begin with, the community is run by Blaine Shaw (Seth Numrich), surely the slickest scammer of old folks since John Mahoney’s nursing-home embezzler in 1989’s Say Anything.
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
  • Barb knowingly taking money from an embezzler would reshape our understanding of her as a character.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Definition of embezzler
Noun
  • Prosecutors say Flynn staged a home invasion to mislead investigators and claimed in a frantic 911 call that a burglar had shot his wife.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The burglar broke into the first floor of the director’s New York townhouse, scanned an array of expensive framed artworks on her wall and made their choice.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of burglar
Noun
  • Harmon said the financial loss from a theft can extend well beyond the value of the copper itself because thieves can damage expensive agricultural equipment while removing wiring.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Paul Melanson, a POST member and chief of police in Farmington, said an epidemic years ago of thieves stealing cars and catalytic converters from suburban driveways fueled demands that police quickly embrace surveillance technology.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of thief
Noun
  • Need to Know A police chief and travel agent on Tiktok says to only carry a crossbody bag on vacation in order to avoid becoming a target for pickpockets.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, costarring Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, Victoria Moroles, Steve Buscemi and Jamie Lee Curtis, follows Turturro’s aging pickpocket and Esposito as the detective on his tail.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of pickpocket
Noun
  • An alleged shoplifter was shot and killed by police Wednesday outside Town Center at Cobb mall in Kennesaw, Georgia.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 May 2026
  • The film is a surrealist heist-comedy starring Keke Palmer as Corvette, the leader of a crew of professional shoplifters who set their sights on a ruthless fashion mogul played by Demi Moore.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Definition of shoplifter

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Cite this Entry

“Kleptomaniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kleptomaniac. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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