heist
Vault-emptying crime
A heist is a robbery, especially a dramatic or carefully planned one: a bank heist, a jewelry heist.
The word carries a sense of audacity or cleverness—heists involve schemes, not simple muggings.
As a verb, to heist is to steal in this manner.
The term appears frequently in crime fiction and film, where elaborate heists drive the plot.
Theft through intimidation
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- larcenyUnlawful taking of goods
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- holdupTheft by threat
stickup · bank · vault · safe · jewels · diamonds · getaway · loot
Calculated strategy, often secretive
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- casingEnclosing cover or frame
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- layoutSpatial arrangement of elements
timing · reconnaissance · crew · mastermind · ringleader · accomplice · rendezvous · contingency
Scheme's chief planner
- wheelmanCriminal escape driver
- hackerUnauthorized system accessor
- safecrackerOne who breaks vaults
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
muscle · fence · accomplice · specialist · driver · technician · forger · pickpocket
Prank or pickled bud
- whodunitCrime fiction identifying perpetrator
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- betrayalBreaking of trust
suspense · tension · climax · escape · chase · cat-and-mouse · reveal · noir
Covert entry into organization
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undetectedNot discovered yet
- silentProducing no sound
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
bypass · evasion · lockpicking · safecracking · alarm · security · laser · camera
Professional crime investigator
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
suspect · interrogation · manhunt · tipster · witness · arrest · prosecution · Interpol
Recklessly or disrespectfully fearless
- boldCourageous and daring
- brazenShamelessly bold
- riskyInvolving possible harm
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
death-defying · impossible · legendary · notorious · spectacular · unprecedented · cunning · nerve
robbery
Theft through intimidation
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- larcenyUnlawful taking of goods
- theftUnlawful taking of property
holdup · stickup · bank · vault · safe · jewels · diamonds · getaway · loot · score
scheme
Calculated strategy, often secretive
layout · timing · reconnaissance · crew · mastermind · ringleader · accomplice · rendezvous · contingency · mark
mastermind
Scheme's chief planner
- wheelmanCriminal escape driver
- hackerUnauthorized system accessor
- safecrackerOne who breaks vaults
lookout · muscle · fence · accomplice · specialist · driver · technician · forger · pickpocket · grifter
caper
Prank or pickled bud
- whodunitCrime fiction identifying perpetrator
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
betrayal · suspense · tension · climax · escape · chase · cat-and-mouse · reveal · noir
infiltration
Covert entry into organization
- covertIntentionally concealed
- undetectedNot discovered yet
- silentProducing no sound
disguise · bypass · evasion · lockpicking · safecracking · alarm · security · laser · camera · guard
detective
Professional crime investigator
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
surveillance · suspect · interrogation · manhunt · tipster · witness · arrest · prosecution · Interpol · FBI
audacious
Recklessly or disrespectfully fearless
high-stakes · death-defying · impossible · legendary · notorious · spectacular · unprecedented · cunning · nerve · guts
- action-adventurecombat, exploration, treasure, quest, hero
- crime filmscrime drama, crime thriller, film noir, murder mystery, mystery film
- heistsbank job, bank robbery, bank vault, caper, inside job
- art crimeart crime, art theft, stolen art, art forgery, art fraud
- criminal schemesconspiracy, collusion, racketeering, kickback scheme, assassination plot
- Heist Slangcaper, job, loot, swag, getaway
heistpurchase
Goods obtained for payment
buy · fair trade · commercial transaction · earn · inheritance
heistpetty theft
Minor stealing offense
shoplifting · pickpocketing · petty larceny · pilfering · swiping
- bank heistTheft from financial institution
- jewel heistTheft of precious stones
- jewelry heistTheft of valuables
- heist filmMovie about stealing
- diamond heistRobbery of precious gems
- art heistStealing valuable artworks