thief

noun

ˈthēf How to pronounce thief (audio)
Definition of thiefnext
as in robber
one who steals a thief has been stealing wallets and valuables from the lockers at the gym

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of thief John Krasinski stars as a jet-setting art thief who steals priceless paintings to help uncover clues as to the whereabouts of the fabled Fountain of Youth. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 For the second time in just over a month, the owners of a Pokémon card shop in the Pico-Robertson area are cleaning up after thieves targeted their business. — Amanda Starrantino, CBS News, 30 June 2026 By placing high-quality stickers over existing table codes, or replacing plastic menu stands entirely, thieves intercept the payment process. — Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 29 June 2026 Nemesis stars Y’Lan Noel as a master thief and Matthew Law as an LAPD detective obsessed with bringing him to justice. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for thief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thief
  1. robber
  2. burglar
Noun
  • Cargo theft has been around for centuries, evident for example in the train robbers of the late 1800s, but soaring demand for AI hardware has shifted heist targets to data centers and the technology’s ever-expanding infrastructure.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • The crux of the case stems from a 2019 armed robbery at a Virginia bank and how police tracked down the robber.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 2 July 2026
Definition of robber
Noun
  • Police arrested the pair on charges of burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, possession of burglar's tools, disorderly conduct and other offenses.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Both face multiple charges -- including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, violation of a local law, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct and possession of burglar's tools -- according to police.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of burglar

Browse Nearby Words

thick-witted
thief
thieve
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thief. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thief

Nglish: Translation of thief for Spanish Speakers

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