pilfer
verb (used with or without object)
to steal, especially in small quantities.
have been pilfering
-
present perfect progressiveof pilfer.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said Chinese government hackers have been pilfering more personal and corporate data than all other countries combined.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 4, 2022
Recent probes by cyber-countersleuths at the University of Toronto have unmasked electronic spy rings that have been pilfering documents and correspondence from computers in 100 countries.
From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2010
On one occasion a lad in the employ of a Gravesend tradesman was discovered to have been pilfering on a somewhat serious scale.
From General Gordon Saint and Soldier by J. Wardle
