1
a
: the act of stealing
specifically
: the felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it
b
: an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property
2
: a stolen base in baseball
3
obsolete
: something stolen
Examples of theft in a Sentence
The theft of the jewelry and other valuables was immediately reported to the police.
He was found guilty of theft.
Recent Examples on the Web
The 52-year-old agreed to pay at least $44.3 million in restitution for his theft from the nonprofit, which occurred over a decade with the funds allegedly used to support a lavish lifestyle for he and his family members.
—
Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
In the summer of 1998, Silverman had no way of knowing that her tenant and his mysterious older companion were wanted for questioning on theft, arson and murder charges in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Nassau, Bahamas.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
The charges in those cases included criminal mischief, theft and burglary, according to the indictments.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Despite the desperate cries for help, Governor Newsom and the state Legislature sabotaged efforts to pass common sense bills to strengthen the state’s theft and drug laws, playing a dangerous game of chicken with the state’s district attorneys in the hopes of derailing Prop. 36.
—Todd Spitzer, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theft 
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Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
In the summer of 1998, Silverman had no way of knowing that her tenant and his mysterious older companion were wanted for questioning on theft, arson and murder charges in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Nassau, Bahamas.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
The charges in those cases included criminal mischief, theft and burglary, according to the indictments.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Despite the desperate cries for help, Governor Newsom and the state Legislature sabotaged efforts to pass common sense bills to strengthen the state’s theft and drug laws, playing a dangerous game of chicken with the state’s district attorneys in the hopes of derailing Prop. 36.
—Todd Spitzer, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theft
Dictionary Entries Near theft
Cite this Entry
“Theft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theft. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
theft
noun
: the act of stealing
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