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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of theft
After entering reform school at the age of 9, Coe spent most of the next 20 years of his life in and out of prisons for charges ranging from armed robbery to auto theft, according to a 2005 Rolling Stone article.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
This makes caregiving difficult, both for family members abroad and those living on the island, who fear theft and scams targeting the elderly.
—Sarah Moreno
updated April 29, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Plus, score more pickpocket-friendly finds like the Osoce Sling Bag and Travelon Anti-theft Messenger Bag, starting at $15.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
Federal officials said Bellido Cosio was involved in a series of thefts that primarily targeted elderly women at Trader Joe’s grocery stores, TJ Maxx stores and other retailers in Connecticut and other states.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theft
Melina Khan, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
This makes caregiving difficult, both for family members abroad and those living on the island, who fear theft and scams targeting the elderly.
—Sarah Moreno
updated April 29, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Plus, score more pickpocket-friendly finds like the Osoce Sling Bag and Travelon Anti-theft Messenger Bag, starting at $15.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
Federal officials said Bellido Cosio was involved in a series of thefts that primarily targeted elderly women at Trader Joe’s grocery stores, TJ Maxx stores and other retailers in Connecticut and other states.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for theft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theft
Noun
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The defendants have each been indicted on conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The pair, both dressed in orange jail attire, admitted to second-degree murder and a slew of other offenses, including robbery, kidnapping and burglary.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His co-defendant Cristian Montecino-Sanzana pleaded guilty to two counts related to one of the three thefts that Bustamante Leiva admitted — an April 12 purse-snatching at a Nando's restaurant.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
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Many Londoners have firsthand experience of phone-snatching or have witnessed the surge in shoplifting documented by the Office for National Statistics.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Commissioner issues his findings in his investigation into allegations of sign-stealing by the 2018 Boston Red Sox, in the wake of a similar investigation into the illicit doings of the 2017 Houston Astros.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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To no one’s surprise, Axios reported last week that Republicans have the gall to consider more stealing from health care and day care to pay for a budget bill containing as much as $200 billion to fund the Iran war and immigration enforcement.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Chargers’ Ladd McConkey put up a Pro-Bowl caliber campaign in ’24 as a first-year target (82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, seven scores), while Rashod Bateman’s numbers as a rookie in ’22 were merely serviceable (46 grabs, 515 yards, one TD).—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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Kaufman, 13, trains in Muaythai, a combat sport and martial art from Thailand that allows fighters to use their fists, elbows, knees, and shins to hit, grab, or sweep their opponents.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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An immigrant delivery man bashed unconscious during a botched four-on-one Manhattan mugging died of his injuries months later, cops said Sunday.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
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That was the only way to see countries' delegations backflipping and mean-mugging from places like Cortina and Livigno, sort of alternating with the parade in Milan.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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No random swiping of hands for explosive residue.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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Even things that used to require a brief in-person conversation with a human being—signing in at the doctor’s office or ordering a coffee—require tapping, swiping, and scanning.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/theft. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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