Pronunciation

/stiːl/

Definitions

• Verb: n (noun sense 1) A transitive verb meaning to take something without permission, often with the intention of not returning it. v (transitive): To take possession of something by secretly taking it from its owner or rightful place. v (intransitive): To commit theft; to carry out a theft.
• Noun: The act or instance of stealing; theft.

Phrases

• “Steal something” or “steal a glance”
• “Caught red-handed” refers to being caught in the act of stealing.
• “Preventing theft” is the action of stopping or guarding against stealing.

Example Sentences

• Verb: “The thief stole a valuable painting from the museum last night.”
• Noun: “Her bike was stolen from the bike rack outside her office.”
• Intransitive: “He has a reputation for stealing from his coworkers.”

Synonyms

• Rob
• Plunder
• Pillage
• Snatch
• Purloin
• filch
• purloin

Antonyms

• Give
• Donate
• Purchase
• Borrow
• Lend

Usage

Noun

• “The police are investigating a series of recent thefts in the neighborhood.”
• “The thief’s guilt was clear when they tried to sell the stolen items.”

Verb

• “He was sentenced to prison for the repeated acts of stealing.”
• “She decided to install a security system to prevent her belongings from being stolen.”