SHOPLIFTING Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

shoplifting 1 of 2

noun

as in pilfering

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shoplifting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shoplift

as in poaching

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of shoplifting

Noun

That same day, the Shoplifting Task Force, which works with the Flint Township Police Department and the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office, coordinated a regional shoplifting blitz. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Officers were at the Walmart to respond to a call about an alleged shoplifting and encountered two people with a child fleeing from the store into a vehicle, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety said at the time of the June 14 incident. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026 Until a curfew was imposed, the protests had devolved into widespread shoplifting after sundown. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Some more minor crimes like shoplifting remain above pre-pandemic levels. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 Mississippi’s attorney general says a Senatobia police officer was justified in firing into a car during a shoplifting response, killing 1-year-old Kohen Wiley. — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 The huge crowds were stressful for police, who ended up working longer shifts than usual to deal with traffic, accidents, shoplifting and other issues. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026 Chicago authorities later arrested Medina-Medina on a shoplifting charge. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026 Officers who responded to a shoplifting call encountered two adults allegedly fleeing from the store with a child and going into a vehicle, according to bureau. — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoplifting

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

African elephants are critically endangered due to issues like poaching and the ivory trade.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Decimated by poaching throughout the 1970s and 80s due to demand in Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, wild black rhino populations had dropped by 96 percent in the mid 90s.

— Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of poaching

Noun

Haiti’s government described the incident as a kidnapping and said the search for the technicians was its top priority.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Investigators say that surveillance video of the kidnapping shows a man wearing black gloves getting out of the same vehicle.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of kidnapping

Verb

This tour represents Brooks’ latest effort to push back against music industry headwinds — specifically, spiraling ticket prices and bots or brokers snatching up prime tickets during onsales before fans have access.

— Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Running around snatching pythons out of the jungle isn't my idea of fun, but someone has to do it.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of snatching

Noun

Ford said Ahmed’s checks were made out to Ford’s 2019 mayoral campaign and were cashed before the hospital embezzlement scandal.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Daniel Elie Bouaziz, who owned two galleries in Palm Beach County, had pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering, while prosecutors agreed to drop 16 other counts related to fraud and embezzlement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of embezzlement

Verb

Instead of planting for curb appeal alone, homeowners are layering in rustling grasses, fragrant herbs, water features and wildlife habitats so the space actively regulates mood and stress.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Soft herbs over top add a rustling texture, and a prominent burst of dill.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of rustling

Noun

Citywide, vehicle burglaries fell about 28% from 2020 to 2025, but the decline has been uneven.

— Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
Officers continued to investigate and searched the location where the suspect was staying, finding items believed to be connected to the burglaries, officials said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of burglary

Verb

San Martin was also tasked with grabbing the cash tray, which contained $17,000.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
The question of how law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services will be affected by these potential tax cuts have fueled headline-grabbing debates across the state.

— Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbing

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Style

“Shoplifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoplifting. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shoplifting

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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