stealed 🔊
Meaning of stealed
An incorrect past tense form of the verb 'steal'; the correct past tense is 'stole'.
Key Difference
'Stealed' is a non-standard or archaic form, while 'stole' is the correct past tense of 'steal'.
Example of stealed
- He stealed the candy from the store when he was a child (incorrect usage).
- The thief stealed the jewels under the cover of darkness (incorrect usage).
Synonyms
stole 🔊
Meaning of stole
The correct past tense of 'steal,' meaning to take something without permission.
Key Difference
'Stole' is grammatically correct, while 'stealed' is not.
Example of stole
- He stole the painting from the museum last night.
- She stole his heart with her kindness.
took 🔊
Meaning of took
To lay hold of something with hands or arms; to remove or acquire possession.
Key Difference
'Took' is a general term for acquiring something, while 'stole' implies illegal or wrongful taking.
Example of took
- He took the book from the shelf to read it.
- The government took control of the disputed territory.
pilfered 🔊
Meaning of pilfered
To steal small quantities or items of little value.
Key Difference
'Pilfered' implies petty theft, whereas 'stole' can refer to theft of any scale.
Example of pilfered
- The office supplies were pilfered over time by employees.
- She pilfered a few candies from the jar when no one was looking.
snatched 🔊
Meaning of snatched
To take something quickly or forcibly.
Key Difference
'Snatched' suggests a sudden, quick action, while 'stole' can be more deliberate.
Example of snatched
- The pickpocket snatched her purse and ran away.
- He snatched the last piece of cake before anyone else could.
swiped 🔊
Meaning of swiped
An informal term meaning to steal, often quickly or sneakily.
Key Difference
'Swiped' is more colloquial, while 'stole' is formal and correct.
Example of swiped
- Someone swiped my lunch from the office fridge.
- The cat swiped a piece of fish from the counter.
appropriated 🔊
Meaning of appropriated
To take something for one's own use, often without permission.
Key Difference
'Appropriated' can imply authority or justification, while 'stole' is outright theft.
Example of appropriated
- The artist appropriated images from vintage magazines for his collage.
- The government appropriated private land for public use.
filched 🔊
Meaning of filched
To steal something, especially in a sneaky or casual manner.
Key Difference
'Filched' is more playful or trivial, while 'stole' is neutral.
Example of filched
- He filched a cookie from the jar when his mother wasn't looking.
- She filched a pen from her coworker's desk.
looted 🔊
Meaning of looted
To steal goods, typically during a war or riot.
Key Difference
'Looted' implies large-scale or violent theft, unlike 'stole.'
Example of looted
- The invaders looted the village and took everything of value.
- During the blackout, some stores were looted by opportunistic thieves.
embezzled 🔊
Meaning of embezzled
To steal money entrusted to one's care, often in a professional setting.
Key Difference
'Embezzled' is specific to financial theft by someone in a position of trust, unlike 'stole.'
Example of embezzled
- The accountant embezzled thousands of dollars from the company.
- He was arrested for embezzling funds from the charity.
Conclusion
- 'Stealed' is an incorrect form and should not be used in formal writing or speech; 'stole' is the proper past tense of 'steal.'
- 'Stole' is the correct word to use when referring to past theft, ensuring grammatical accuracy.
- 'Took' is a neutral alternative but lacks the implication of wrongdoing present in 'stole.'
- 'Pilfered' should be used when referring to petty or minor thefts.
- 'Snatched' is best for quick, forceful thefts, such as pickpocketing.
- 'Swiped' is a casual term suitable for informal contexts.
- 'Appropriated' can be used when the taking has some justification, even if unauthorized.
- 'Filched' is a lighthearted term for minor, sneaky thefts.
- 'Looted' is appropriate for describing theft during chaos, such as riots or wars.
- 'Embezzled' is specific to theft by someone in a trusted financial role.