Synonyms of pilfer

pilfer

verb

ˈpil-fər 

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep

what sort of person would pilfer lunches from the office refrigerator?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steal
• swipe
• filch
• grab
• purloin
• rob
• snatch
• lift
• misappropriate
• thieve
• appropriate
• snitch
• pinch
• nip
• pocket
• hook
• nick
• rip off
• hijack
• run off with
• take
• boost
• plunder
• seize
• make off with
• make away with
• walk off with
• pick
• heist
• loot
• pillage
• sack
• burglarize
• knock over
• shoplift
• poach
• kidnap
• rifle
• highjack
• grasp
• abduct
• rustle
• spirit
• carjack
• sponge
• nail
• mooch
• collar
• shanghai

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy
• purchase
• give
• contribute
• present
• bestow
• donate
• hand over

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pilfer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pilfer are filch, purloin, and steal. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When is it sensible to use filch instead of pilfer?

The meanings of filch and pilfer largely overlap; however, filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

In what contexts can purloin take the place of pilfer?

In some situations, the words purloin and pilfer are roughly equivalent. However, purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

When is steal a more appropriate choice than pilfer?

While the synonyms steal and pilfer are close in meaning, steal may apply to any surreptitious taking of something and differs from the other terms by commonly applying to intangibles as well as material things.

steal jewels

stole a look at the gifts

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of pilfer

The wolf, painted on a white satellite dish in Peckham, south London, was pilfered by a hooded trio in broad daylight on Thursday. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 10 Aug. 2024

Federal taxpayer dollars are also being pilfered, emerging data shows, as researchers urge more government action to address the chronic issue. —Sarah Lapidus, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2024

Mizuhara began placing sports bets with Bowyer in September 2021 and then pilfered from Ohtani to cover the debts, authorities previously said. —Cindy Vonquednow, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024

Jho has since been accused of masterminding a money laundering and bribery scheme that pilfered billions from the Malaysian state investment fund known as 1MDB. —Michael Kunzelman and Lindsay Whitehurst, USA TODAY, 26 June 2024