thefts

noun

plural of theft
1
as in robberies
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

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2
as in grabs
an instance of theft the police found the stolen car an hour after the theft was reported

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 thefts In the same time, shootings plunged 48%, robberies 35% and car thefts 20% — and those levels have generally improved or held this year. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Fortune reported on the tactic a decade ago, when fraud accounted for roughly one in 10 cargo thefts, and food was the most attractive target, since it can be resold through unscrupulous distributors with no serial numbers to trace. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Police said the two thefts share similarities and are investigating whether they were carried out as part of the same fraudulent cargo theft operation. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 European museums have been hit by a series of spectacular thefts since thieves in October broke into the Louvre museum in Paris in broad daylight, escaping in less than eight minutes with jewelry worth $102 million. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 This is the latest in a yearlong uptick in thefts at European museums. — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026 McLachlan was connected to thefts at various gym chain locations including Lifetime and the YMCA. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Since the power went out, there has been a spate of generator thefts in his neighborhood, said Calvin Boone, 44, a father of four. — Selina Guevara, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026 Deputies allegedly found various devices and equipment in Munsell’s home that are known by law enforcement to aid in vehicle thefts. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thefts
  1. robberies
  2. grabs
Noun
  • The Vienna theft adds to a string of recent museum robberies internationally, raising fresh questions over whether institutions are adequately protecting valuable collections from increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The almost 27-minute-long trailer features a whirlwind of gameplay to expect at launch in November, including car chases, heists, and robberies, plus various side missions such as scuba diving, weightlifting, and maybe even backyard wrestling.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of robberies
Noun
  • Everyone in the house gets involved in the election, phone banking and going after the 80 or so votes still up for grabs.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But at the April municipal election, both Fears’ and McCandless’ seats were up for grabs -- and Independence voters chose to remove both from the dais.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of grabs

Browse Nearby Words

theft
thefts
(the) goods
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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