Synonyms of purloin

purloin

verb

(ˌ)pər-ˈlȯin 

as in to steal

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

the studio stepped up security, fearing that someone might attempt to purloin a copy of the script for the show's season finale

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb purloin differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of purloin are filch, pilfer, and steal. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

When could filch be used to replace purloin?

The synonyms filch and purloin are sometimes interchangeable, but filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

When would pilfer be a good substitute for purloin?

The meanings of pilfer and purloin largely overlap; however, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When can steal be used instead of purloin?

The words steal and purloin can be used in similar contexts, but 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 purloin

In 2017, administrators at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh were heartbroken to learn that hundreds of rare books, art prints and maps worth more than $8 million had been purloined from its rare books room. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026

The world press was less restrained; the Post, the Daily Mail, the Hindustan Times, and many others ran screaming headlines, accompanied by photographs of the climbers purloined from social media. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

The humans who cleaned up the customer records didn’t know that the records were purloined. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Your duty to intervene increases with the value of the object and the likelihood it will be purloined. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025

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