purloining 1 of 2

noun

as in pilfering

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purloining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of purloin
as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep the studio stepped up security, fearing that someone might attempt to purloin a copy of the script for the show's season finale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purloining
  1. pilfering
  2. stealing
  3. shoplifting
  4. kidnapping
Noun
  • In the second novel of the Amina al-Sirafi fantasy series, Chakraborty sets her pirate protagonist out onto the high seas for some perilous pilfering after being dragged into her partner’s problems.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Definition of pilfering
Verb
  • With the Rays trailing 2-1 after Liam Hicks' RBI groundout in the fourth, Mesa was caught stealing third for the final out of the fifth with slugger Yandy Díaz at the plate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading … DIRTY POLITICS — Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik.
    — , FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stealing
Noun
  • Until a curfew was imposed, the protests had devolved into widespread shoplifting after sundown.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • According to investigators, the shoplifting suspect was armed with a Glock that had been modified to fire fully automatically.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of shoplifting
Noun
  • Haiti’s government described the incident as a kidnapping and said the search for the technicians was its top priority.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators say that surveillance video of the kidnapping shows a man wearing black gloves getting out of the same vehicle.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of kidnapping
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

purloiners
purloining
purloins
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Cite this Entry

“Purloining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purloining. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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