Meaning & use
kleptomaniac
Last updated
A person with a persistent, compulsive urge to steal, often without regard for need or value.
See it in a sentence
The character in the novel is a kleptomaniac who can't resist pocketing small, useless objects.
Doctors distinguished her behavior from ordinary theft, diagnosing her as a kleptomaniac.
A note on using this word
Refers specifically to a recognized psychological compulsion (kleptomania), not simply someone who steals for profit or need.
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