purloin

verb

(ˌ)pər-ˈlȯin How to pronounce purloin (audio)
Definition of purloinnext
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep the studio stepped up security, fearing that someone might attempt to purloin a copy of the script for the show's season finale

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb purloin differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of purloin are filch, pilfer, and steal. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

When could filch be used to replace purloin?

The synonyms filch and purloin are sometimes interchangeable, but filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously.

filched an apple from the tray

When would pilfer be a good substitute for purloin?

The meanings of pilfer and purloin largely overlap; however, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When can steal be used instead of purloin?

The words steal and purloin can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of purloin The world press was less restrained; the Post, the Daily Mail, the Hindustan Times, and many others ran screaming headlines, accompanied by photographs of the climbers purloined from social media. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The humans who cleaned up the customer records didn’t know that the records were purloined. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026 Your duty to intervene increases with the value of the object and the likelihood it will be purloined. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025 Lou Schachter, who became a historical crime researcher after retiring from his corporate job, wondered if other works in the Alters’ estate might have also been purloined. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for purloin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purloin
steal
Verb
  • Elsewhere, stoles stole the show, particular those draped languidly over the shoulder or fashioned as cummerbunds.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On multiple occasions, law enforcement officers have used Flock footage to identify and ultimately arrest people accused of stealing from Ulta Beauty stores.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of steal

Browse Nearby Words

purling
purloin
purloined
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Purloin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purloin. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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