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Definitions

steal

[steel] / stil /
VERB
take something without permission
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abduct divert embezzle keep kidnap loot pilfer plunder ransack remove strip swipe take
STRONG
appropriate blackmail burglarize cheat cozen defraud despoil heist housebreak lift misappropriate peculate pillage pinch pirate plagiarize poach purloin rifle sack shoplift snitch swindle thieve withdraw
WEAK
carry off hold for ransom hold up make off with rip off run off with spirit away stick up take possession of walk off with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
give give up let go maintain receive release stay
STRONG
protect
VERB
sneak around
Synonyms
STRONG
creep flit glide insinuate lurk skulk slide slink slip snake tiptoe
WEAK
go stealthily pass quietly
Antonyms
WEAK
give receive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was hardly through, playing another six seasons and even stealing 47 bases in 99 games in 1985 for the Chicago Cubs to become the first 40-year-old player to steal more bases than his age.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The Huskies tipped a pass and chased down a steal, and the ball found its way into the hands of freshman Braylon Mullins.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The 39-day tournament will require a two-month subscription, but a total of $40 to watch every match is a steal compared with shelling out over a grand for just one.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Steve, I think it’s more like we both had this rich neighbor named Xerox and I broke into his house to steal the TV set and found out that you had already stolen it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Not hungry enough to steal food from my gran, but hungry enough to steal food from the chickens.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff