Meaning & use

theft

noun·Everyday

The act of unlawfully taking someone else's property without their permission or intent to return it.

See it in a sentence

The store installed new cameras after a rise in shoplifting theft.

He was arrested for the theft of a bicycle from the university campus.

A note on using this word

Theft is a general legal term; specific types include burglary, robbery, and larceny, each with distinct legal definitions.

Words with a similar meaning

stealinglarceny

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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