steal 1 of 2

Definition of stealnext

steal

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb steal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of steal are filch, pilfer, and purloin. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," 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

In what contexts can filch take the place of steal?

The meanings of filch and steal largely overlap; however, filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

When might pilfer be a better fit than steal?

While the synonyms pilfer and steal are close in meaning, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When could purloin be used to replace steal?

The synonyms purloin and steal are sometimes interchangeable, but purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

How does the verb steal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of steal are filch, pilfer, and purloin. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," 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

In what contexts can filch take the place of steal?

The meanings of filch and steal largely overlap; however, filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

When might pilfer be a better fit than steal?

While the synonyms pilfer and steal are close in meaning, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When could purloin be used to replace steal?

The synonyms purloin and steal are sometimes interchangeable, but purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

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 steal
Verb
When an unscrupulous business associate stole money out of the couple’s business account, forcing them to close ESO, the community rallied their support and raised funds on GoFundMe to keep it open. Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026 Police believe Lewis killed King intending to steal his Hyundai Sonata. Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
Anunoby contributed 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block in Tuesday’s series-shifting win. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026 Helping defend Detroit star Cade Cunningham, Wagner recorded four of Orlando’s eight steals. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for steal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steal
Verb
  • Deed theft, a type of fraud in which scammers swipe the ownership of others’ homes, was spotlighted this week with the arrest of Councilmember Chi Ossé while protesting the issue.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The 22-year-old center fielder swiped a career-high four bases in yet another busy day in low Single-A Lake Elsinore’s 13-6 win over visiting Visalia on Thursday.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Scott Roche’s unlikely road to semi-pro football began with prodding from his players, followed by sneaking into a high school stadium to practice.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
  • While others sneak photos of Newsom, a cluster of New York Times reporters just feet away are opting to forgo watching the governor hold court —and are instead watching the Lakers do so.
    Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Quite the bargain Southern California condos were 24% cheaper than single-family homes in February.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Removing these bargain fares is also lifting the average ticket price.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • McCoy was once considered a top-10 pick, but the 6-foot, 195-pound corner sustained a torn ACL during offseason workouts in January 2025 that robbed him of his junior season.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • He was charged and convicted of robbing two other people and charging fraudulent purchases to their credit cards.
    Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Audacity creator Jonathan Glatzer and star Billy Magnussen, who plays wealthy tech CEO Duncan Park, took the stage at Deadline Contenders TV to talk about taking the tech monster lurking in the shadows and those responsible for its existence, and turning it into a comedy.
    Amanda Champagne-Meadows, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
  • With savings up to 86 percent on complete sets and lots of cooling options for warm nights, there are some major bedding deals lurking on the site.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The company, which operates AMC, Shudder and BBC America, among other outlets,has no massive deal ready to unveil that will put it in cahoots with the NFL or Major League Baseball.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The project stems from Keshet Studios’ decade-long tenure at Universal Television under a string of first-look deals; the company is now developing projects for Sony Pictures Television under the first-look pact parent Keshet International recently signed there.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Rivera’s defense team contended that the gun went off inadvertently in a struggle after Rosen reached into the car and grabbed Rivera.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Walsh locked down Maxey out of a Sixers timeout to force a turnover, and the Celtics grabbed four offensive rebounds on one first-quarter possession, with Walsh and Scheierman accounting for three of them.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Disney shares slipped around 1% on the news in Tuesday trading.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • While the seven-round draft feels exhaustive each year, the truth is good prospects, even Hall of Fame caliber ones, can slip through.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Steal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steal. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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