sneak thief

See synonyms for sneak thief on Thesaurus.com

noun

a burglar who sneaks into houses through open doors, windows, etc.

Origin of sneak thief

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Words Nearby sneak thief

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sneak thief in a sentence

"Out with you, you sneak-thief; I am not afraid of you," Karl cried again.
The Devil | Joseph O'Brien
More than that, he has the sly and stealthy manners of the sneak-thief and the brigand.
Birds of the Rockies | Leander Sylvester Keyser
I was foolish not to complain to the management at once, for I might have been robbed by some sneak-thief.
The Ghost Breaker | Charles Goddard
He had the chance, and being a sneak thief by nature he took it.
The Snow-Burner | Henry Oyen
Bluff demanded first of all, his suspicions running in the direction of a sneak thief.
The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point | Quincy Allen

British Dictionary definitions for sneak thief

sneak thief

noun

a person who steals paltry articles from premises, which he enters through open doors, windows, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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