shoplift

verb

shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
shoplifted; shoplifting; shoplifts

intransitive verb

: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

Examples of shoplift in a Sentence

The manager saw the kids shoplift and called the police. The kids shoplifted candy from the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Riley, a Georgia college student, was killed in February by a Venezuelan migrant who had previously been arrested for shoplifting prior to the attack and, subsequently, released on parole. Al Weaver, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025 Upon closer inspection, department records obtained by The Times indicate that most of the incidents may have started as shoplifting. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025 The program has shoplifting cases, from as minor as someone stealing food from a grocery store to have something to eat to people loading up shopping carts to sell later. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025 Between the lines: Something retailers are especially aware of this time of year is shoplifting, but there could be some good news in Chicago on that front, a study from the Council on Criminal Justice found. Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shoplift 

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from shoplifter

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoplift was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near shoplift

Cite this Entry

“Shoplift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoplift. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

shoplift

verb
shop·​lift -ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: to steal merchandise on display in stores

Legal Definition

shoplift

intransitive verb
shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

More from Merriam-Webster on shoplift

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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