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to purloin

to purloin

4 9.6
To steal something secretly or dishonestly
  • verb
  • /pɜrˈlɔɪn/
translation icon : robar
  • He was caught after trying to purloin money from the cash register.
  • a purloined letter

Some of it was stuff that we had purloined from different communist countries.

Examples

  • She purloined a rare book from the library without anyone noticing.

  • They purloined confidential documents to gain an unfair advantage.

  • And it's gonna be right here for a whole week... the last of the set... and I suspect you plan to purloin it.

  • Some of it was stuff that we had purloined from different communist countries.

  • A printer across the room started making a hard copy of the purloined code.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Hundreds of holiday cakes were purloined through weakness in the internal website.

  • Unlike some of the others here, I don't have a particular issue with purloining some documents via fraud.

    Blog text (3)
  • The supposedly purloined emails make it clear that those who know them best don't trust these models.

    Blog text (13)
  • After he fainted, the captain sent him to bed, but the crew keeps bringing him various purloined delicacies.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Eric's purloined Strat in the back seat reflecting the light.

    Fiction book (1994)

Synonyms

to steal
vsto purloin
1.0

Take something that does not belong to you without permission

is more about secret and dishonest taking rather than open forceful acts
to sneak
vsto purloin
699 2.8

To move or take something quietly so others do not notice

focuses on secret taking action rather than simply sneaky movement or delivery
to pick
vsto purloin
58 8.4

To steal small things from someone's pocket or bag

is broader secret taking rather than the specific act of removing from clothing or bags
to swipe
vsto purloin
  • Informal
49 5.5

To take something quickly without the owner noticing

is more about secret and dishonest taking rather than speed or casualness
to lift
vsto purloin
  • Informal
35 8.1

To steal something secretly from a shop or person

is general secret taking rather than a quick hand trick or sleight
to pinch
vsto purloin
  • Informal
34 8.0

Steal something small, often of little value

is the general secret taking term rather than casual slang for small thefts
to swindle
vsto purloin
20 5.5

To cheat someone and take their money by lying

is secret dishonest taking of items rather than active deception used to take from people
to cop
vsto purloin
  • Slang
19 9.0

Take something without permission, often quickly

is specifically about secret dishonest taking, not merely casual acquisition
to pilfer
vsto purloin
16 6.5

To steal small things of little value, often a little at a time

is broader, applying to secret dishonest taking of items regardless of value
to loot
vsto purloin
10 6.1

To take someone else's ideas or work without permission

is about secret dishonest taking of tangible items rather than illegal idea use
to siphon off
vsto purloin
5 7.9

To secretly take money from a business or charity for your own use

is general secret taking of things, not limited to funds or resources
to filch
vsto purloin
4 8.4

To steal a small thing quietly when no one is looking

covers secret dishonest taking generally, not only small or trivial items
to chisel
vsto purloin
  • Archaic
4 8.9

To cheat someone out of money or things by tricking them

is secret dishonest taking of items rather than relying on trickery to obtain them
to hook
vsto purloin
  • Slang
3 9.1

To steal something, especially quickly in a crowded place

is the neutral, general term for secret dishonest taking rather than slang
to snitch
vsto purloin
  • Archaic
2 8.0

To steal something quickly and secretly

is the neutral term for secret dishonest taking rather than slang
to wangle
vsto purloin
  • UK
1 8.7

To get something by clever or dishonest ways

is direct secret taking, not primarily about clever manipulation or tricking
to snarf
vsto purloin
  • Slang
1 9.9

To take something quickly, often without permission

is about secret dishonest taking rather than sudden casual grabbing
to rake off
vsto purloin
  • NSFW
1 9.1

Take money secretly from payments, often in an illegal way

is broader secret taking not limited to money shares from transactions
to goldbrick
vsto purloin
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To cheat someone out of money or things

is secret taking of items rather than tricking people through elaborate scams
to have it away
vsto purloin
  • UK
9.9

To secretly steal something

is the general term not limited to informal British usage
to pickpocketing
vsto purloin
4.6

To steal small items, especially money, from someone's pocket or bag without them noticing

is the wider secret taking term, not limited to that specific theft method
to nobble
vsto purloin
  • NSFW
9.9

British informal word for stealing someone else's things

is the neutral term for secret dishonest taking rather than informal regional slang
to fleeche
vsto purloin
  • Archaic
9.9

To trick someone to take their money or goods

is secret dishonest taking in general, not the archaic sense of cheating people

Antonyms

231 1.0

An act of giving something back to its owner

219 3.5

Return something like a painting or building to its original working condition

How Serious

to plunder
26 6.0
to embezzle
28 8.1
to purloin
4 9.6
to steal
1.0
to pilfer
16 6.5

Surface Forms

purloin infinitive
purloined past
purloined past participle
purloining present participle
purloins third person singular

Etymology

The word purloin comes from an old French verb that meant 'to put far away'. It comes from parts like por- and loign ('far'), which is like the English long, so the idea of 'putting something far away' became the modern meaning 'to steal'.