thief
noun
ˈthēf 
plural thieves ˈthēvz
: one that steals especially stealthily or secretly
also : one who commits theft or larceny
Synonyms
- larcenist
- pincher
- purloiner
- robber
- stealer
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
A thief took my purse. a thief has been stealing wallets and valuables from the lockers at the gym
Recent Examples on the Web Petty thief Scott Lang becomes Ant-Man, who, with his ability to shrink, proves that big heroes can come in tiny packages. 
Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 Longtime thief sentenced in Wisconsin jewel heist; crimes included museum burglary that inspired TV episode Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 Apparently, the thief was unable to start the car and left it there. cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 It will be released in 2023, the company announced Saturday, and feature Iranian American actress Shohreh Aghdashloo as the voice of Roshan, mentor to street thief-turned-master assassin Basim Ibn Is’haq. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 On the new season of Blood & Treasure, antiquities expert Danny McNamara and former master thief Lexi Vaziri are on the hunt for the Spirit Banner of Genghis Khan. Ew Staff, EW.com, 15 July 2022 Comparison is the thief of joy, and everyone is on their own individual and beautifully different path through life. Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 25 Aug. 2022 Three months later, a thief hacked his account and emptied it. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2022 The thief left the parking lot driving a dark gray Chevy Tahoe. John Benson, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 See More
Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 Longtime thief sentenced in Wisconsin jewel heist; crimes included museum burglary that inspired TV episode Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2022 Apparently, the thief was unable to start the car and left it there. cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 It will be released in 2023, the company announced Saturday, and feature Iranian American actress Shohreh Aghdashloo as the voice of Roshan, mentor to street thief-turned-master assassin Basim Ibn Is’haq. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 On the new season of Blood & Treasure, antiquities expert Danny McNamara and former master thief Lexi Vaziri are on the hunt for the Spirit Banner of Genghis Khan. Ew Staff, EW.com, 15 July 2022 Comparison is the thief of joy, and everyone is on their own individual and beautifully different path through life. Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 25 Aug. 2022 Three months later, a thief hacked his account and emptied it. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2022 The thief left the parking lot driving a dark gray Chevy Tahoe. John Benson, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English theef, from Old English thēof; akin to Old High German diob thief
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing thief
Kids Definition
thief
noun
ˈthēf
plural thieves
ˈthēvz
: a person who steals : robber
Legal Definition
thief
noun
plural thieves
: one who commits theft
thieves 1 of 2
noun
as in robbers
one who steals a thief has been stealing wallets and valuables from the lockers at the gym Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- robbers
- burglars
- kidnappers
- pirates
- stealers
- smugglers
- bandits
- pinchers
- hijackers
- embezzlers
- housebreakers
- pilferers
- purloiners
- larcenists
- grafters
- plunderers
- pickpockets
- kleptomaniacs
- safecrackers
- shoplifters
- looters
- kidnapers
- pillagers
- highwaymen
- rustlers
- cutpurses
- cracksmen
- carjackers
- abductors
- picklocks
- cat burglars
- ravishers
- poachers
- footpads
- muggers
- despoilers
- skyjackers
- kleptos
- ransackers
- sneak thiefs
- dips
thieves
2 of 2verb
as in steals
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep someone's been thieving my cookies! Synonyms & Similar Words
- steals
- swipes
- heists
- pilfers
- snitches
- pockets
- filches
- purloins
- hooks
- robs
- snatches
- grabs
- nicks
- lifts
- rips off
- loots
- misappropriates
- nips
- burglarizes
- pinches
- appropriates
- plunders
- walks off with
- sacks
- hijacks
- pillages
- picks
- runs off with
- knocks over
- rifles
- boosts
- takes
- seizes
- makes off with
- makes away with
- shoplifts
- carjacks
- collars
- sponges
- mooches
- poaches
- spirits
- nails
- kidnaps
- highjacks
- abducts
- grasps
- rustles
- shanghais
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- purchases
- buys
- presents
- gives
- bestows
- contributes
- hands over
- donates