Synonyms of theft

theft

noun

ˈtheft 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• robbery
• stealing
• kidnaping
• larceny
• thievery
• kidnapping
• burglary
• abduction
• smuggling
• embezzlement
• piracy
• misappropriation
• highjacking
• shoplifting
• pilferage
• looting
• graft
• rustling
• pilfering
• misapplication
• hijacking
• housebreaking
• peculation
• embezzling
• spoliation
• plundering
• petit larceny
• carjacking
• rapine
• petty larceny
• poaching
• pillage
• despoliation
• banditry
• filching
• purloining
• despoilment
• shanghaiing
• black marketeering

2

as in snatching

an instance of theft

the police found the stolen car an hour after the theft was reported

Synonyms & Similar Words

• snatching
• grab
• mugging
• swiping
• heist
• burglary
• pinch
• break-in
• rip-off
• holdup
• stickup

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of theft

Kim Kardashian / Getty Images While more than a dozen people were arrested in connection with the theft, this trial will focus on six people. —CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025

Congress eliminated the deduction for personal theft losses. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Fernandes Anderson, 46, is expected to plead guilty to one count of aiding and abetting wire fraud and one count of aiding and abetting theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, at a change of plea hearing on May 5, according to a plea agreement the second-term councilor signed last week. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2025

Troopers were alerted to the theft when a wrong-way detection system alerted them to a driver going the wrong way on the I-84 West Exit 42 off-ramp, according to Connecticut State Police. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2025