pilfer
verb (used with or without object)
to steal, especially in small quantities.
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.
The theft prompted the city’s Police Department to warn residents that bronze pilfering was a “growing concern” across Southern California and urge community members to report suspicious activity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
What’s more, China has a history of pilfering technology to get ahead: In 2025, one in five European companies in China said that Chinese firms had stolen technology.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
Yes, using the DOJ’s website, users are pilfering software and documents from the Epstein files.
From Slate ● Feb. 3, 2026
He probably feels more awful about his after-hours pilfering than you do.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 24, 2025
As she watched, she noticed a mouse pilfering a basket of peanuts.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
