steal
verb (used with object)
to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force.
was stealing
-
past progressiveof steal.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
"It never occurred to me that maybe I was getting clients and someone else was stealing from me," she tells the BBC.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
Supreme Court allowed a state prosecution to go ahead against two federal soldiers who had shot and killed a man they believed was stealing from federal property.
From Slate ● Jan. 7, 2026
“It was like someone was stealing money from the cookie jar and they kept refilling it.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
Mostly, there is a rebel sentiment among its American users, who have found a Chinese-based replacement for TikTok after the U.S. government argued the Chinese company that owns TikTok was stealing its users' data.
From Salon ● Jan. 16, 2025
“Would I leave my bag, with the stuff I make my living with if I was stealing your baby? You think I’m crazy?”
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
