steal 🔊
Meaning of steal
To take someone else's property without permission or legal right, typically in a secretive or dishonest manner.
Key Difference
While 'steal' generally implies unlawfully taking something, its synonyms may vary in context, intensity, or method.
Example of steal
- The thief tried to steal a priceless painting from the museum.
- He was caught trying to steal his neighbor's car.
Synonyms
pilfer 🔊
Meaning of pilfer
To steal things of little value or in small quantities, often in a sneaky manner.
Key Difference
'Pilfer' implies stealing small or trivial items, unlike 'steal,' which can involve anything regardless of value.
Example of pilfer
- The office supplies kept disappearing because someone was pilfering them.
- She pilfered a few candies from the jar when no one was looking.
rob 🔊
Meaning of rob
To take property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat.
Key Difference
'Rob' involves direct confrontation or violence, whereas 'steal' can be done secretly.
Example of rob
- The masked men robbed the bank at gunpoint.
- He was robbed on his way home from the ATM.
burglarize 🔊
Meaning of burglarize
To illegally enter a building with the intent to commit theft or another crime.
Key Difference
'Burglarize' specifically involves unlawful entry, while 'steal' does not necessarily require breaking in.
Example of burglarize
- Their house was burglarized while they were on vacation.
- The store was burglarized after closing hours.
embezzle 🔊
Meaning of embezzle
To steal or misappropriate money placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.
Key Difference
'Embezzle' involves theft by someone trusted with the money, unlike 'steal,' which is more general.
Example of embezzle
- The accountant was caught embezzling company funds.
- She embezzled thousands from the charity over the years.
swipe 🔊
Meaning of swipe
To steal something quickly or casually, often without much thought.
Key Difference
'Swipe' is more informal and implies a quick, opportunistic theft compared to 'steal.'
Example of swipe
- Someone swiped my phone from the table while I wasn’t looking.
- He swiped a pack of gum from the store on a dare.
loot 🔊
Meaning of loot
To steal goods, typically during a war, riot, or other chaotic situation.
Key Difference
'Loot' implies large-scale theft during unrest, unlike 'steal,' which can happen anytime.
Example of loot
- During the riot, people looted electronics from the stores.
- The invaders looted the ancient temple of its treasures.
shoplift 🔊
Meaning of shoplift
To steal goods from a store while pretending to be a customer.
Key Difference
'Shoplift' is specific to retail theft, while 'steal' is broader.
Example of shoplift
- The teenager was caught shoplifting a pair of sneakers.
- Shoplifting costs retailers millions every year.
plunder 🔊
Meaning of plunder
To steal goods violently or destructively, especially in wartime.
Key Difference
'Plunder' suggests violent or large-scale theft, often with destruction, unlike 'steal.'
Example of plunder
- The pirates plundered the merchant ship and took all its cargo.
- Historical armies often plundered villages they conquered.
filch 🔊
Meaning of filch
To steal something small or of little value in a sneaky way.
Key Difference
'Filch' is similar to 'pilfer' but often implies even more slyness or triviality.
Example of filch
- He filched a pen from his coworker’s desk.
- The cat filched a piece of fish from the kitchen counter.
Conclusion
- 'Steal' is a general term for taking something unlawfully, applicable in various contexts.
- 'Pilfer' is best for minor, sneaky thefts, like office supplies or small items.
- 'Rob' should be used when force or threat is involved in the theft.
- 'Burglarize' fits when unlawful entry is part of the crime.
- 'Embezzle' is specific to trusted individuals stealing money they manage.
- 'Swipe' is a casual term for quick, opportunistic thefts.
- 'Loot' applies to large-scale theft during chaos or war.
- 'Shoplift' is exclusively for stealing from retail stores.
- 'Plunder' implies violent or destructive theft, often in historical or wartime contexts.
- 'Filch' is ideal for describing sly, petty thefts.