Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pilfer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pilfer are filch, purloin, and steal. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When is it sensible to use filch instead of pilfer?

The meanings of filch and pilfer largely overlap; however, filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

In what contexts can purloin take the place of pilfer?

In some situations, the words purloin and pilfer are roughly equivalent. However, purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

When is steal a more appropriate choice than pilfer?

While the synonyms steal and pilfer are close in meaning, 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

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 pilfer According to police, two former contract employees at Omaha's Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery began stealing memorial vases from the graveyard and selling them as scrap metal in late June or early July, while conspiring with others to pilfer and scrap them. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025 The United States and other countries are apprehensive that hackers are now pilfering data to be decrypted by quantum computers within the next ten years. Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 And each account pilfered another TikTok creator's words about various viral topics, ranging from a woman who received a facelift in Guadalajara to a woman wearing a dog collar to Meghan Markle dancing in a hospital delivery room. Shannon Bond, NPR, 10 July 2025 Another former deputy defense minister, Pavel Popov, also was arrested and accused of pilfering state funds allocated for the park in order to build himself a country estate. Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pilfer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilfer
steal
Verb
  • Of course, due to all of these developments, everyone finally knows that the man who kidnapped Sam and stole the dope is Robbie Pendergrast.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • But their double life gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret starts to steal their fans.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pilfer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilfer. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pilfer

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