thievery
AmericanUsage
What does thievery mean? Thievery is the practice of thieving—stealing. Thieves lead a life of thievery. The words thief and theft are often used in situations in which a person steals in secret and without using force or violence. However, the word thievery is used in the context of all kinds of thefts, even violent ones. Thieve and thievery often imply that such activity is habitual or part of a criminal lifestyle. Example: He is a pirate, a rogue—he knows nothing but lies and thievery.
Etymology
Origin of thievery
Explanation
Use the noun thievery when you need a colorful, old fashioned way to describe stealing: you might complain bitterly about the thievery in your neighborhood after having your third bicycle stolen in a month. If you're worried about thievery, you might install a burglar alarm or get a big barking dog. A more common way to say thievery is theft, or in a police report, larceny. It's easy to see where the word thievery comes from — to thieve is to steal, and both words come from the Old English root þeof, or thief.
Vocabulary lists containing thievery
List 6
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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.
Nestlé said it had publicized the incident with humor to raise awareness around the more serious issue of thievery.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Speaking exclusively to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said if ministers go ahead with plans to allow AI firms to use artists' content without paying, they would be "committing theft, thievery on a high scale".
From BBC • May 18, 2025
On your way, keep an eye out for island foxes, once endangered, now plentiful and skilled in campsite food thievery.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025
In the last few years, though, homeless encampments have multiplied in the surrounding streets and thievery has become so relentless that the brothers are ready to give up and sell their business.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2023
“Exactly. Very well, then. I will keep my ears open. I will grow ears like that donkey yonder. If word comes of thievery in anyone’s shop, I will know which one.”
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
