as in stole
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
what sort of person would pilfer lunches from the office refrigerator?
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Recent Examples of pilfered
The customer records were pilfered in a July breach.
—
Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Small bulbs like crocus are probably the most commonly pilfered.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
The tale is pilfered from the Aeneid, but Virgil would blench to see the curtain rise on Jupiter, dandling Ganymede, a beautiful boy, upon his knee.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Though proceeds have boosted the country’s economy, some opposition leaders say much of it has been wasted or pilfered.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Small bulbs like crocus are probably the most commonly pilfered.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
The tale is pilfered from the Aeneid, but Virgil would blench to see the curtain rise on Jupiter, dandling Ganymede, a beautiful boy, upon his knee.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Though proceeds have boosted the country’s economy, some opposition leaders say much of it has been wasted or pilfered.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilfered
Verb
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An Air Force veteran stole North Carolina military members’ identities to steal rental cars and ship them to Africa and rent apartments and repost them on Airbnb, according to federal court documents.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Oct. 2025
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The incident began at Dick's Sports Goods in Chambersburg, where Foy and two others, Amir Swift, 21, and Giani Jaida McGowan, 21, allegedly stole over $1,000 worth of merchandise from the store.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After a brief scuffle between the two players, Noel held on to the ball, though Alexander swiped his hand at him in frustration as tensions rose.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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Franklin swiped defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State, coming off a national championship.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pilfered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilfered. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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