theftnoun [ C or U ]
uk/θeft/us/θeft/B2 (the act of) dishonestly taking something that belongs to someone else and keeping it:
Unfortunately, we have had several thefts in the building recently.
Shoplifting is theft.
See also
thief
More examples
- She was found guilty of theft, but because of extenuating circumstances was not sent to prison.
- There's been an increase in minor offences, such as traffic violations and petty theft.
- Unfortunately, the police have dealt with the problem of car theft in a reactive rather than a proactive way.
- He was remanded on theft charges.
- We rang the insurance company to report the theft.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Stealing
- abscond
- aggravated burglary
- appropriate
- armed robbery
- break in/break into sth
- duff
- larceny
- liberate
- light-fingered
- loot
- looting
- mug
- relieve
- rip sth off
- rob
- robbery
- run off with sth
- scrump
- sting
- whip
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