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

Her alleged return visit raised red flags when an employee recognized Quast from a similar theft days earlier and alerted police, according to the complaint. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The following year, he was convicted in King County Superior Court in Washington on two counts of engaging in an unauthorized insurance transaction and one count of first-degree theft. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Colbert, whose arrest record included allegations of drugging men and theft, later used Manzano's credit card at a New Orleans gas station and other stores in the area. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

He was also arrested for theft, obstructing official business, and criminal damage, according to WKYC. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026