steal 1 of 2

verb

ˈstēl How to pronounce steal (audio)
Definition of stealnext
1
as in to swipe
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep the guy who tried to steal my car was sentenced to a year in jail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sneak
to move about in a sly or secret manner the teenagers were able to steal past a security guard and enter the fairgrounds without paying admission

Synonyms & Similar Words

steal

2 of 2

noun

as in bargain
something bought or offered for sale at a desirable price at 50% off, that shirt is a real steal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb steal differ from other similar words?

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

In what contexts can filch take the place of steal?

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

filched an apple from the tray

When might pilfer be a better fit than steal?

While the synonyms pilfer and steal are close in meaning, pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts.

pilfered from his employer

When could purloin be used to replace steal?

The synonyms purloin and steal are sometimes interchangeable, but purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes.

printed a purloined document

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 steal
Verb
Prosecutors said Trabue shot the 44-year-old twice and stole items from him. — Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026 If that prediction comes true, Michigan could have a chance to steal a win that looks improbable at the moment. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
At just $40, this Quince sweater is a total steal for a cotton cable-knit. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026 Ewing swiped two bases to give him 21 steals, tied with Gregg Jefferies (1989) for third-most in team history by a rookie. — CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for steal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steal
  1. swipe
  2. sneak
  3. bargain
  4. rob
  5. lurk
  6. deal
  7. grab
  8. slip
Verb
  • Ewing swiped two bases to give him 21 steals, tied with Gregg Jefferies (1989) for third-most in team history by a rookie.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Irving swiped through the flirtations without a second glance.
    — Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of swipe
Verb
  • Manual friction sneaks in as systems fail to scale with growth or suffer from poor implementation.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Both were placed on IR-return, which allowed 23-year-old Jacob Bayer to sneak onto the roster after a fantastic camp.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of sneak
Noun
  • Sangare’s fast start to life at Brentford is a reminder that bargains exist further afield.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • There’s something for everyone, from music lovers to bargain hunters, craft aficionados to car enthusiasts.
    — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of bargain
Verb
  • Daily life on death row nearly robbed him of his sanity, Duncan said.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Others argue restrictions could rob the world of a utopian future.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of rob
Verb
  • But Ferrari cemented itself as F1’s second-quickest team early on, lurking for an opportunity to dethrone Mercedes that eventually emerged in Spain.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Rhetoric that had lurked in conspiracy-minded corners of the internet was now coming from the federal government itself.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of lurk
Noun
  • Shop more outlet deals below, including an elegant candleholder, a luxe ottoman, and slim patio sofa.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Below, find last-chance deals on summer sandals, fall-ready booties, ultra-cute ballet flats, and more for up to 79 percent off.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of deal
Verb
  • Mishka Wilonski had just grabbed pizza from a nearby shop and was walking outside with a friend when the crash happened.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Michael grabbed him, rushed out of the house, and blew through several red lights on the way to the hospital.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • The metalpoint tool sometimes slips or skitters; the fountain pen sometimes stops working—though, deprived of vision, the artist is unaware, and keeps drawing the now-invisible line.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The 49ers, an otherwise good team, have for the past couple of months been weaving and slipping bad news like a boxer trying to avoid a knockout punch.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of slip

Phrases Containing steal

Browse Nearby Words

steak houses
steal
stealer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All