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.

With a fee that she purloins from a church collection plate, she implores him for help and he agrees, as he learns more about this young girl’s challenging childhood.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

Desperate to buy her father out of debtor’s prison, she purloins a copy of his thesis and sets out to win the Great God Contest herself.

From Washington Post • Jan. 13, 2015

The best exemplar of the species is probably E. W. Hornung’s Raffles, who was educated at the best schools, plays cricket for England, moves among the upper classes and discreetly purloins their jewels.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2012

To emphasise the veracity of its spooky goings-on, it purloins real events such as the 2004 tsunami and the 7 July London bombings, and even subtitles its foreigners.

From The Guardian • Jan. 31, 2011

It is astonishing what pecuniary sacrifices genius will make, when it purloins the trumpet of Fame to puff itself into temporary notoriety.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, September 5, 1841 by Various