as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
someone's been thieving my cookies!
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Recent Examples of thieve
Females are turning out in droves to see the third installment in the long-dormant franchise about a group of thieving magicians, buying up 54 percent of all tickets sold so far.
—
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
Despite mixed reviews, the first two films about the thieving illusionists known as the Four Horseman were commercial successes; the original grossed $350 million while the sequel generated $334 million.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
He was shot and stabbed on several occasions and killed a thieving female motel owner who ambushed him.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
From the producers of John Wick, which should surprise no one, Violent Night stars David Harbour as a particularly murderous Santa Claus defending an estate against a team of thieving mercenaries who break in, take the family hostage, and slay the house staff on Christmas Eve.
—Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for thieve
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
Despite mixed reviews, the first two films about the thieving illusionists known as the Four Horseman were commercial successes; the original grossed $350 million while the sequel generated $334 million.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
He was shot and stabbed on several occasions and killed a thieving female motel owner who ambushed him.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
From the producers of John Wick, which should surprise no one, Violent Night stars David Harbour as a particularly murderous Santa Claus defending an estate against a team of thieving mercenaries who break in, take the family hostage, and slay the house staff on Christmas Eve.
—Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for thieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thieve
steal
Verb
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Last Tuesday, thieves stole more than $80,000 of Pokémon cards from Do-We Collectibles in Anaheim — the second time the store has been targeted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Two days later, authorities found the van, a 1978 Chevy stolen from Dayton, Ohio, abandoned at a truck stop in Franklin, Tenn.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thieve. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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