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

The exchange valued its protection fund at more than $464 million before the theft. — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

President Lincoln did not say that the nation was founded on violence and theft. — Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

Police confirmed the theft and said officers responded and took a report Wednesday. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

While PlusAI is a software developer working on self-driving technologies, Kwan said cargo theft has been a persistent problem for the trucking industry, which is in search of solutions to better track trailers and cargo statuses. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026