SHOPLIFTING Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

shoplifting 1 of 2

noun

as in pilfering

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shoplifting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of shoplift

as in poaching

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Dissimilar 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 shoplifting

Noun

In about a quarter of them, 62 cases, soldiers single-handedly stopped people suspected of a crime, often for things like shoplifting or jumping turnstiles to avoid paying subway fare. — Brad Heath, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 Most recently, a 2024 Seminole County Sheriff’s Office investigation accusing Singh of shoplifting was resurfaced by Walton Johnson’s supporters, despite no criminal case ever being filed. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 The others were for resisting an officer, shoplifting, trespassing and marijuana possession. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Those local leaders who came in as Democrats five, six, seven years ago wanted to make shoplifting okay, kept the schools closed too long, they got repudiated by voters. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 Unlike shoplifting, which is clearly transactional and morally coded, hotel theft exists in a fuzzier psychological space. — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 At the same time, reported shoplifting bucked the trends of other property crimes, showing a 5% increase. — Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 State authorities have said that police were responding to a shoplifting call at a Walmart when an officer fired at the car Kohen was in. — Bracey Harris, NBC news, 1 July 2026 The measure, passed with the help of Democrats, directs federal immigration enforcement to detain and deport those without legal status charged with minor theft or shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury of another person. — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoplifting

Noun

In the second novel of the Amina al-Sirafi fantasy series, Chakraborty sets her pirate protagonist out onto the high seas for some perilous pilfering after being dragged into her partner’s problems.

— Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

Definition of pilfering

Verb

Considering Dolphins have roughly 40 players on this training camp roster who legitimately belong on a 53-man roster, Sullivan should be aggressive with claiming players or poaching them off practice squads.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Hickey’s case comes to light on the heels of another poaching case also involving hunting content creators out of Ohio.

— Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of poaching

Verb

Lately Becker has been snatching up vintage Lalique pieces that, in this setting, have the frosty haze of sea glass.

— Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026
Surveillance footage shows Ruis snatching the $275 bauble, which was attached to a $3,500 Alo Odyssey duffel bag, and wrapping it in a tissue before stuffing it into his pocket, according to a criminal complaint and law enforcement sources.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of snatching

Noun

Darryl McCauley was sentenced to six years in prison on charges including larceny, forgery, and embezzlement; Erika McCauley was sentenced to two to three years in prison on charges including two counts of larceny.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
McCauley pleaded guilty to larceny, embezzlement and other charges (along with his wife, Erika) and was ordered to pay back the $12 million.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of embezzlement

Verb

For 45 years, Alyson Dee Moore made the sounds that movies needed — the footsteps, the rustling clothes and doors swinging shut.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
And the only hint of rain comes from the sound of wind rustling cactus spines, trickle trickle trickle.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rustling

Noun

Lawrence faces multiple charges, including grand theft of motor vehicle parts, burglary conspiracy, grand theft conspiracy, and criminal solicitation.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
They were arraigned on felony reckless endangerment, burglary and other charges, according to the Associated Press.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of burglary

Verb

Two men bought tickets to enter Vienna's Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) before smashing a display case, grabbing a 200-carat platinum and diamond necklace and walking away, police said Friday.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
In the commercial, Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark rushes over to his golf bag and pushes over golfer Alexis Miestowski to keep her from grabbing the Quantum Driver.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of grabbing

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shoplifting

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Style

“Shoplifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoplifting. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shoplifting

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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