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.

The Manchester City midfielder will be hoping to steal the show again in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Or do we have legal grounds to challenge her so that she cannot steal from the entire family?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

It was all fake—elaborate stage sets designed to steal her money.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“I told him they basically scam or steal people’s crypto,” Louis recalled during his testimony.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

The cookies Theo had come in to steal didn’t even exist; the tins in my room are all crumbs.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse