stolen 🔊
Meaning of stolen
Taken unlawfully or without permission, typically referring to property or belongings.
Key Difference
Unlike similar terms like 'taken' or 'grabbed', 'stolen' specifically implies illegality and lack of consent.
Example of stolen
- The priceless painting was stolen from the museum last night.
- She realized her wallet had been stolen when she reached the checkout counter.
Synonyms
thieved 🔊
Meaning of thieved
Taken by theft; stolen.
Key Difference
'Thieved' is a less common synonym and often implies a more deliberate act of theft compared to 'stolen'.
Example of thieved
- The jewelry was thieved right from the display case.
- He discovered his bike had been thieved from the rack.
pilfered 🔊
Meaning of pilfered
Stolen, especially in small quantities or in a petty manner.
Key Difference
'Pilfered' suggests minor or sneaky theft, often over time, unlike 'stolen', which can be large-scale or sudden.
Example of pilfered
- Office supplies were frequently pilfered from the storage room.
- The cookies were pilfered from the jar when no one was looking.
snatched 🔊
Meaning of snatched
Taken quickly and often forcefully.
Key Difference
'Snatched' emphasizes speed and force, whereas 'stolen' focuses on illegality.
Example of snatched
- Her purse was snatched by a thief on a motorbike.
- The protestor snatched the microphone during the speech.
swiped 🔊
Meaning of swiped
Stolen casually or quickly, often without notice.
Key Difference
'Swiped' is more informal and implies ease or lack of detection, unlike 'stolen', which is neutral.
Example of swiped
- Someone swiped his lunch from the office fridge.
- She swiped a candy bar when the cashier wasn’t looking.
looted 🔊
Meaning of looted
Stolen, especially during chaos or war.
Key Difference
'Looted' implies theft during unrest or destruction, while 'stolen' is more general.
Example of looted
- The ancient artifacts were looted during the invasion.
- Stores were looted during the riots.
embezzled 🔊
Meaning of embezzled
Stolen money or property entrusted to one’s care.
Key Difference
'Embezzled' refers to theft by someone in a position of trust, unlike 'stolen', which is broader.
Example of embezzled
- The accountant embezzled thousands from the company.
- Funds meant for charity were embezzled by the manager.
burglarized 🔊
Meaning of burglarized
Stolen from a building after unlawful entry.
Key Difference
'Burglarized' refers specifically to theft involving breaking and entering, unlike 'stolen'.
Example of burglarized
- Their home was burglarized while they were on vacation.
- The shop was burglarized overnight, and cash was taken.
plundered 🔊
Meaning of plundered
Stolen goods, often on a large scale or violently.
Key Difference
'Plundered' suggests violent or large-scale theft, often in historical or wartime contexts.
Example of plundered
- The pirates plundered the merchant ship.
- Ancient tombs were plundered for their treasures.
filched 🔊
Meaning of filched
Stolen in a sly or petty manner.
Key Difference
'Filched' is informal and implies minor theft, often sneakily.
Example of filched
- He filched a few coins from the donation box.
- She filched a pen from her coworker’s desk.
Conclusion
- 'Stolen' is the most general term for unlawful taking, applicable in most legal and everyday contexts.
- 'Thieved' is archaic and less common, best used in literary or dramatic contexts.
- 'Pilfered' works well for small, sneaky thefts, like office supplies or snacks.
- 'Snatched' should be used when theft is quick and forceful, like street crimes.
- 'Looted' is appropriate for theft during riots, wars, or disasters.
- 'Embezzled' is specific to trusted individuals stealing entrusted funds.
- 'Burglarized' applies when theft involves breaking into a property.
- 'Plundered' fits historical or large-scale violent theft, like pirate raids.
- 'Filched' is a playful or informal term for petty theft.