Synonyms of theft

theft

noun

ˈtheft 

1

as in robbery

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

while violent crime in the city has decreased dramatically, rates of theft and vandalism have risen slightly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in snatching

an instance of theft

the police found the stolen car an hour after the theft was reported

Synonyms & Similar Words

• snatching
• grab
• mugging
• swiping
• heist
• burglary
• pinch
• break-in
• rip-off
• holdup
• stickup

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of theft

Similar thefts and vandalism have also happened recently at shuttered schools in San Jose. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

The case also comes during a period of heightened concern about thefts from European museums and religious institutions. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

In July, Apple sued OpenAI in federal court, alleging the theft of hardware trade secrets. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

In spite of heightened security, the thefts go off as planned. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026