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swiper

swiper

1 8.1
A person who quickly steals things by grabbing them and running away
  • noun
  • /ˈswaɪpər/
  • Slang
translation icon : ladrón
  • The thief was often called a swiper because he could steal wallets without anyone noticing.

Examples

  • No swiping, you... you... swiper!

  • You got to know you're a salami swiper.

  • I know he was a swiper.

  • They warned the children to be careful of a swiper who might snatch their toys while they played.

  • After the shoplifting incident, the manager said they had to be vigilant against a swiper in the store.

Synonyms

thief
vsswiper
754 1.0

A person who takes someone else's things without permission

often seizes items in a rapid grab and escape rather than general stealth
pickpocket
vsswiper
19 4.2

A person who steals wallets or phones from pockets and bags in crowds

targets visible items by grabbing and running rather than hidden removal
snatcher
vsswiper
8 7.0

A person who quickly grabs things like phones or bags and runs away

is the identical term for the same quick grab and escape action
stealer
vsswiper
4 4.6

A person who takes things that belong to others without permission

focuses on quick grabbing and running rather than planned keeping or selling
sticky-finger
vsswiper
  • Offensive
2 9.9

A person who often steals small things

commits single sudden snatches rather than repeated habitual thefts
sneak thief
vsswiper
2 7.6

A person who secretly steals things without using force

prefers visible sudden grabs and fast escape rather than secret theft
cutpurse
vsswiper
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who steals money from people's pockets or purses in public places

focuses on grabbing items quickly and fleeing in modern public settings
pilferer
vsswiper
1 7.3

A person who steals small things without using force

targets quick single grabs rather than repeating small unnoticed thefts
swooper
vsswiper
  • Slang
1 8.1

A person or group that arrives suddenly to take advantage and buy things quickly

focuses on physically grabbing items and running away after theft
pickpurse
vsswiper
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who steals money and small things from other people's pockets or bags

is the modern action of grabbing and running rather than historical stealth
purloiner
vsswiper
9.6

A person who steals things secretly

acts openly with a fast grab and escape rather than secret removal

How Serious

robber
186 1.0
burglar
110 1.4
swiper
  • Slang
1 8.1
thief
754 1.0
pickpocket
19 4.2

Surface Forms

swiper singular
swipers plural

Morphology

swiper = swipe (transparent) = swipe + er

A straightforward agent noun formed by '-er' from the verb 'swipe' meaning 'to steal'; learners can derive 'person who swipes'.

Etymology

The word swiper meaning a thief comes from the verb swipe, which also means 'to steal quickly'. So a swiper is someone who takes things with a fast, sneaky move.