˜yĞÄvlog

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View synonyms for

thieve

[ theev ]

verb (used with object)

thieved, thieving.
  1. to take by theft; steal.


verb (used without object)

thieved, thieving.
  1. to act as a thief; commit theft; steal.

thieve

/ θ¾±Ë±¹ /

verb

  1. to steal (someone's possessions)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ³Ù³ó¾±±ğ±¹±ğ°ù²â, noun
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Other ˜yĞÄvlog Forms

  • ³Ù³ó¾±±ğ±¹î€ƒi²Ô²µÂ·±ô²â adverb
  • ´Ç³Ü³Ùt³ó¾±±ğ±¹±ğ verb (used with object) outthieved outthieving
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˜yĞÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of thieve1

before 950; Old English ³Ù³óŧ´Ç´Ú¾±²¹²Ô, derivative of ³Ù³ó±ğÅ´Ú thief (not recorded in ME)
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˜yĞÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of thieve1

Old English ³Ù³óŧ´Ç´Ú¾±²¹²Ô, from ³Ù³óŧ´Ç´Ú thief
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Nick is bedeviled by his thieving foes, fascinated by them, and now has nothing to lose.

From

“Learn how to thieve constructively — for the struggle,†Colin scolds him when Tony is naïvely caught up in a bungled shoplifting caper.

From

Milei, who ran against “thieving politicians,†has run into resistance from Argentina’s combustible Congress, which he calls “the rat’s nest.â€

From

Despite its ethereal vibe, “Riddle of Fire†has minor flares of violence and a central trio who curse, drink and thieve with some regularity.

From

She plays a thieving fox whom Po apprehends stealing relics.

From

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More About Thieve

What doesÌıthieve mean?

To thieve is to steal—to commit theft.

A person who thieves is a thief. The words thief and theft are often used in situations in which a person steals in secret and without using force or violence. However, the word thieve is used in the context of all kinds of thefts, even violent ones. Thieve often implies that such thieving is done habitually or as part of a criminal lifestyle.

The related word thievery can mean the same thing as theft, but it typically refers to the practice of thieving—thieves lead a life of thieving and thievery.

Thieve is sometimes followed by the thing that will be or has been stolen, as in I just realized my kids have been thieving the coins from the fountain.Ìı

Thieve should not be confused with a form of the noun thief or its plural, thieves.

Example: He is a pirate, a rogue—he thieves and plunders without remorse.

Where doesÌıthieve come from?

The first records of the word thieve come from before 950. It comes from the Old English ³Ù³óŧ´Ç´Úian.

A person who thieves or has a tendency to thieve can be described as thievish or thieving, as in Come back here, you lying, thieving rapscallion! Thieve and related words like thievery and thieving can sometimes sound a bit old-timey, like they’re out of a classic adventure novel.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to thieve?

What are some synonyms for thieve?

What are some words that share a root or word element with thieve?Ìı

Ìı

What are some words that often get used in discussing thieve?

How isÌıthieve used in real life?

Thieve is not commonly used. When it is, it often implies that the person doing the thieving does so as part of leading a life of crime.

Try usingÌıthieve!

Which of the following actions could be considered a case of thieving?

A. shoplifting
B. pickpocketing
C. bank robbery
D. all of the above

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