Synonyms of stealing

stealing 1 of 2

noun

as in robbery

the unlawful taking and carrying away of property without the consent of its owner

in those days the stealing of a horse was a very serious crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• robbery
• theft
• larceny
• kidnapping
• thievery
• burglary
• pilfering
• smuggling
• embezzlement
• abduction
• embezzling
• misappropriation
• shoplifting
• graft
• hijacking
• plundering
• looting
• rustling
• pilferage
• housebreaking
• peculation
• misapplication
• petit larceny
• filching
• piracy
• petty larceny
• poaching
• pillage
• purloining
• carjacking
• spoliation
• rapine
• despoliation
• banditry
• shanghaiing
• despoilment
• black marketeering

stealing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of steal

1

as in swiping

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

the guy who tried to steal my car was sentenced to a year in jail

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swiping
• robbing
• pilfering
• grabbing
• snatching
• lifting
• filching
• thieving
• appropriating
• misappropriating
• purloining
• pocketing
• nicking
• pinching
• snitching
• hijacking
• hooking
• nipping
• boosting
• ripping off
• picking
• seizing
• taking
• heisting
• plundering
• running off with
• making off with
• looting
• making away with
• burglarizing
• pillaging
• walking off with
• sacking
• shoplifting
• knocking over
• poaching
• grasping
• kidnapping
• abducting
• rustling
• rifling
• nailing
• carjacking
• mooching
• collaring
• sponging
• spiriting
• shanghaiing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buying
• purchasing
• giving
• presenting
• contributing
• donating
• bestowing
• handing over

2

as in sneaking

to move about in a sly or secret manner

the teenagers were able to steal past a security guard and enter the fairgrounds without paying admission

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sneaking
• lurking
• slipping
• sliding
• crawling
• slinking
• skulking
• shirking
• snaking
• creeping
• tiptoeing
• mooching
• mousing
• pussyfooting
• edging
• inching
• padding
• worming
• ghosting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stealing

Noun

Nathaniel Pearson of Raytown was charged Tuesday with first degree assault, armed criminal action and attempted stealing of a motor vehicle, the prosecutor’s office said in a Wednesday news release. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

Like the first book of the trilogy, this one unfolds entirely in dialogue—only instead of giving us a narrator whose hat was stolen, this story is narrated by the fish who did the stealing. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Luke Locklear, 29, of Lumberton, is charged with felony conspiracy, and altering/stealing/destroying criminal evidence by taking it from the home and burning it, a warrant says. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026

Sale and Ventura engaged in a heated argument a few days later after Sale demanded Ventura call out the Tigers for the sign-stealing. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026

That’s base stealing in the Pitch Clock Era. — Chad Jennings, New York Times, 21 May 2026

But stealing isn’t negotiation. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 20 May 2026

Samaniego yielded a one-out single to Starling Marte, but the Royals only had two men on base for a matter of seconds, as the Sox southpaw threw to Durbin at third to catch Thomas stealing. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026

Like there was a little problem in the Bronx because of stealing, small quality stealing. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 May 2026

Verb

The film revolves around a crew of motorcycle thieves who begin stealing priceless antiquities around the world. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

The ticket Lockhart is accused of stealing had a prize value of $2,600, per the affidavit. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

Russia would be interested in stealing political secrets, such as Japan’s future policy on Ukraine. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

One woman described to CBS News people jumping on her parents' house and stealing clothes that were hanging outside. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Lockhart was arrested on July 23 and later admitted to stealing the ticket and redeeming it, according to the Florida Lottery. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Jimothy may be stealing hearts for now – but there are countless social media stars like Cooper who continue to spread awareness about the rare condition. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Shang-Chi – Defeated the Dweller-in-Darkness, an ancient soul-stealing cosmic dragon. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Jones spent all those years stealing gappers out of the sky for Braves teams that won the NL East in each of his first 10 seasons — in support of the greatest pitching staff of his generation. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 26 July 2026