sneak thief
noun
: a thief who steals whatever is readily available without using violence or forcibly breaking into buildings
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Jake Gyllenhaal lost 20 pounds to play Louis Bloom, the ghoulish sneak thief-turned-freelance crime scene journalist, in this alternately gripping and skin-crawling drama. 
Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022
Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 Word History
First Known Use
circa 1859, in the meaning defined above
sneak thiefs
noun
as in cat burglars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- cat burglars
- cracksmen
- purloiners
- picklocks
- housebreakers
- larcenists
- skyjackers
- burglars
- ransackers
- thieves
- robbers
- safecrackers
- stealers
- plunderers
- looters
- cutpurses
- pillagers
- ravishers
- pinchers
- pilferers
- hijackers
- kidnappers
- abductors
- pickpockets
- shoplifters
- kidnapers
- pirates
- carjackers
- bandits
- highwaymen
- smugglers
- despoilers
- rustlers
- footpads
- embezzlers
- kleptos
- dips
- grafters
- poachers
- kleptomaniacs
