purloining 1 of 2

noun

as in pilfering

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purloining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of purloin
as in stealing
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purloining
  1. pilfering
  2. stealing
  3. shoplifting
  4. kidnapping
Noun
  • In the second novel of the Amina al-Sirafi fantasy series, Chakraborty sets her pirate protagonist out onto the high seas for some perilous pilfering after being dragged into her partner’s problems.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Definition of pilfering
Verb
  • Martinez had accused him of stealing the all-terrain vehicle, which belonged to her granddaughter.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
  • More than 20 years after stealing the Declaration of Independence, National Treasure 3 is in the works.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of stealing
Noun
  • In about a quarter of them, 62 cases, soldiers single-handedly stopped people suspected of a crime, often for things like shoplifting or jumping turnstiles to avoid paying subway fare.
    — Brad Heath, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Most recently, a 2024 Seminole County Sheriff’s Office investigation accusing Singh of shoplifting was resurfaced by Walton Johnson’s supporters, despite no criminal case ever being filed.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of shoplifting
Noun
  • There's crime, there's terrorism, there's no healthcare access, there's kidnapping.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • He has been charged with kidnapping, molestation, lewd and lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of kidnapping
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.

Browse Nearby Words

purloiners
purloining
purloins
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Cite this Entry

“Purloining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purloining. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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