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
What is that if not a direct license to keep even more public money pilfered via nonpayment, and a marker that the president and his inner circle are above the law?
—
New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026
What is that if not a direct license to keep even more public money pilfered via nonpayment, and a marker that the president and his inner circle are above the law?
—The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
The music joins the casting and a too-scary third act as the only elements of this movie that don’t fully embrace its bar-lowering lack of ambition — the only elements that don’t feel pilfered from pre-existing classics.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
Tyler Cordeiro first pilfered Jannotta’s prescription pills as a teenager.
—Craig R. McCoy, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Tyler Cordeiro first pilfered Jannotta’s prescription pills as a teenager.
—Craig R. McCoy, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2026
Many of the things that happen in this film have happened for real, and they’re pilfered from actual F1 events.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 Mar. 2026
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
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
New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026
What is that if not a direct license to keep even more public money pilfered via nonpayment, and a marker that the president and his inner circle are above the law?
—The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
The music joins the casting and a too-scary third act as the only elements of this movie that don’t fully embrace its bar-lowering lack of ambition — the only elements that don’t feel pilfered from pre-existing classics.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
Tyler Cordeiro first pilfered Jannotta’s prescription pills as a teenager.
—Craig R. McCoy, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Tyler Cordeiro first pilfered Jannotta’s prescription pills as a teenager.
—Craig R. McCoy, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2026
Many of the things that happen in this film have happened for real, and they’re pilfered from actual F1 events.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pilfered
Verb
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The Office Romance actress stole the show at the Netflix film’s New York City premiere on June 2, dazzling in a naked illusion corset gown that covered her curves in dreamy blooms.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
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Andujar reached on an infield single to start the fourth inning and stole second base on the final pitch of Jackson Merrill’s strikeout.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Separately, the administration swiped $35 million allocated to needy children and drug prevention to pay for efforts to kill that amendment and another legalizing marijuana.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
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Pinch runner Tyler Tolbert quickly swiped second.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pilfered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pilfered. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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