as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
someone's been thieving my cookies!
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Recent Examples of thieving
The start of the conflict revealed that one tool the Israelis used to target the Ayatollah and his top crew of thieving monsters was their extended hack of the traffic cameras outside his Tehran compound.
—
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
The Epic of Gilgamesh, composed about 4,000 years ago, follows a king who searches the world for a plant that can restore youth, only to lose the plant to a thieving snake.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The new restaurant will expand upon the whimsical backstory of Crafty Coyote — the pie-thieving crook from the nearby Knott’s Bear-y Farm dark ride who has given up his outlaw ways to open the new eatery next door.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Females are turning out in droves to see the third installment in the long-dormant franchise about a group of thieving magicians, buying up 54 percent of all tickets sold so far.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
Despite mixed reviews, the first two films about the thieving illusionists known as the Four Horseman were commercial successes; the original grossed $350 million while the sequel generated $334 million.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
From the producers of John Wick, which should surprise no one, Violent Night stars David Harbour as a particularly murderous Santa Claus defending an estate against a team of thieving mercenaries who break in, take the family hostage, and slay the house staff on Christmas Eve.
—Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
The Epic of Gilgamesh, composed about 4,000 years ago, follows a king who searches the world for a plant that can restore youth, only to lose the plant to a thieving snake.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
The new restaurant will expand upon the whimsical backstory of Crafty Coyote — the pie-thieving crook from the nearby Knott’s Bear-y Farm dark ride who has given up his outlaw ways to open the new eatery next door.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Females are turning out in droves to see the third installment in the long-dormant franchise about a group of thieving magicians, buying up 54 percent of all tickets sold so far.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 15 Nov. 2025
Despite mixed reviews, the first two films about the thieving illusionists known as the Four Horseman were commercial successes; the original grossed $350 million while the sequel generated $334 million.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
From the producers of John Wick, which should surprise no one, Violent Night stars David Harbour as a particularly murderous Santa Claus defending an estate against a team of thieving mercenaries who break in, take the family hostage, and slay the house staff on Christmas Eve.
—Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thieving
stealing
Verb
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thieving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thieving. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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