shoplifter

[shop-lif-ter]

noun

1. a person who steals goods from the shelves or displays of a retail store while posing as a customer.

shoplifter

/ ˈʃɒpˌlɪftə /

noun

1. a person who steals goods from a shop during shopping hours

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoplifter¹

1670–80; obsolete shoplift shoplifter ( shop + lift ) + -er ¹

Example Sentences

A short while later, a convicted shoplifter who is wanted on recall to prison walks past - he is searched and arrested.

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Sainsbury's is planning to introduce facial recognition technology across its supermarkets in a bid to identify shoplifters.

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"By greeting genuine shoppers, not only does this provide a positive impression of your store, it also deters potential shoplifters," the force said.

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"We'd like customers to help us lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters," Mr Walker said.

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Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson has said shoplifters "will be pursued and will face consequences" regardless of how much they steal, as she visited a town centre.

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Related Words

• bandit 
• burglar 
• con artist 
• crook 
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• marauder 
• mugger 
• pickpocket 
• pirate 
• raider 
• rustler 
• swindler 
• thief 
• thug