steal
verb (used with object)
to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force.
were 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.
Richards and the governor’s office pushed back on false assertions that Newsom and his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, were stealing money from the state through her office that same day.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026
In June, the Auschwitz Museum warned accounts like these were stealing its posts, processing them through AI models and often warping historical details or fabricating narratives and victims entirely.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2025
“People say Bettina became paranoid after the fire, that she became convinced people were stealing ideas from her,” he said.
From New York Times ● Jan. 26, 2024
She brought it out from under her counter … they had to remove it as people were stealing it!
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 16, 2023
I looked at the tape recorder, feeling guilty, as if I were stealing what was left of his precious speaking time.
From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
