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.
In a deposition, Grillo said he fired Duarte because he believed she was stealing cat and dog food, janitorial supplies and personal items — which she denied.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 4, 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
Keck had also told the friends that Vincent was stealing from him.
From Salon ● Oct. 10, 2023
But that was stealing from somebody who had showed me kindness.
From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson
