Synonyms of pilfer

pilfer

verb

ˈpil-fər 

as in to steal

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

what sort of person would pilfer lunches from the office refrigerator?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of pilfer

As when just standing in the Mingus Quick Stop parking lot and squinting down the street at lifting dust while overhearing from within the most mysterious conversation about missing Little Debbie Honey Buns—not stolen, gradually pilfered, but just missing. —David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Season 5, meanwhile, has noticeably flattened its ensemble, leaning on simplistic personality traits and pilfering from previous arcs. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025

Wednesday brings the Rule 5 Draft, when eligible prospects can be selected by any of the 30 teams and effectively pilfered from rival organizations. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

The tokens were pilfered from the LuBian Bitcoin mining pool in December 2020. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025