stole 🔊
Meaning of stole
To take another person's property without permission or legal right, typically in a secretive manner.
Key Difference
While 'stole' implies a secretive act of theft, its synonyms may vary in terms of method, intent, or legality.
Example of stole
- He stole a valuable painting from the museum under the cover of darkness.
- She stole glances at her crush during the lecture, hoping no one would notice.
Synonyms
pilfered 🔊
Meaning of pilfered
To steal items of small value, often in small quantities.
Key Difference
Pilfering usually involves minor thefts, whereas stealing can involve items of any value.
Example of pilfered
- The office supplies kept disappearing, likely pilfered by employees.
- He pilfered a few candies from the jar when no one was looking.
swiped 🔊
Meaning of swiped
To steal something quickly or casually.
Key Difference
Swiping often implies a quick, opportunistic theft, while stealing can be premeditated.
Example of swiped
- Someone swiped my phone from the table while I was distracted.
- The pickpocket swiped wallets from unsuspecting tourists.
snatched 🔊
Meaning of snatched
To take something suddenly or forcibly.
Key Difference
Snatching involves a sudden, often violent action, unlike the more secretive nature of stealing.
Example of snatched
- The thief snatched her purse and ran down the alley.
- A hawk snatched a fish from the water in one swift motion.
embezzled 🔊
Meaning of embezzled
To steal money placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.
Key Difference
Embezzlement specifically involves theft by someone in a position of trust, unlike general stealing.
Example of embezzled
- The accountant embezzled thousands from the company over several years.
- He was arrested for embezzling funds from the charity organization.
looted 🔊
Meaning of looted
To steal goods, typically during a war or riot.
Key Difference
Looting occurs during chaotic situations and often involves multiple perpetrators, while stealing can be an individual act.
Example of looted
- During the blackout, some stores were looted by opportunistic thieves.
- Ancient artifacts were looted from the archaeological site.
burgled 🔊
Meaning of burgled
To illegally enter a building to commit theft.
Key Difference
Burglary involves unlawful entry, while stealing doesn't necessarily require breaking in.
Example of burgled
- Their home was burgled while they were on vacation.
- The jewelry store was burgled through a back window.
purloined 🔊
Meaning of purloined
To steal something, often with a sense of cunning or sophistication.
Key Difference
Purloining suggests a more refined or clever method of theft compared to ordinary stealing.
Example of purloined
- The diplomat purloined sensitive documents from the embassy.
- The rare manuscript was purloined from the library decades ago.
filched 🔊
Meaning of filched
To steal something of small value in a casual way.
Key Difference
Filching is more casual and petty compared to the more serious connotation of stealing.
Example of filched
- The teenager filched a magazine from the newsstand.
- She filched some cookies from the jar when her mother wasn't looking.
appropriated 🔊
Meaning of appropriated
To take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.
Key Difference
Appropriation can sometimes have legal or quasi-legal justifications, unlike outright stealing.
Example of appropriated
- The government appropriated private land for the new highway project.
- The artist appropriated images from popular culture for his collage.
Conclusion
- Stole is the general term for taking someone else's property illegally, often secretly.
- Pilfered should be used when referring to small-scale, often repeated petty thefts.
- Swiped works best when describing quick, opportunistic thefts where speed is a factor.
- Snatched is appropriate when the theft involves sudden force or violence.
- Embezzled is the correct term for theft by someone in a position of financial trust.
- Looted describes theft that occurs during chaotic situations like riots or wars.
- Burgled specifically refers to theft that involves unlawful entry into a building.
- Purloined suggests a more sophisticated or cunning method of theft, often involving valuable items.
- Filched is best for casual, petty thefts where the items taken are of minimal value.
- Appropriated can be used when the taking has some veneer of legitimacy or official sanction.