kleptomaniacal
Driven to pilfer
Kleptomaniacal describes someone affected by kleptomania—a compulsive urge to steal things, typically items of little value or personal use.
The word characterizes behavior driven by psychological impulse rather than need or greed: His kleptomaniacal tendencies surfaced whenever he entered a department store.
It can also be used loosely or humorously to describe anyone with sticky fingers or a habit of taking things that aren't theirs.
Sudden urge to act
- urgeStrong inner drive
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
craving · addiction · irresistible · uncontrollable · pathological · driven · habitual · recurring
Stealing store merchandise
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- stealingUnlawful taking of property
- pocketingTaking and keeping covertly
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
larceny · thievery · filching · purloining · snatching · lifting · swiping · pilferage
Secretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- covertIntentionally concealed
- sneakyStealthily deceptive
clandestine · secretive · concealed · undetected · hidden · discreet · undercover · unobtrusive
Absence of organization
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- impulse controlRegulating sudden urges
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- treatmentCare for an ailment
diagnosis · psychiatric · behavioral · counseling · cognitive · trigger · relapse · intervention
impulse
Sudden urge to act
- urgeStrong inner drive
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
obsession · craving · addiction · irresistible · uncontrollable · pathological · driven · habitual · recurring · involuntary
shoplifting
Stealing store merchandise
pickpocketing · larceny · thievery · filching · purloining · snatching · lifting · swiping · pilferage · light-fingered
furtive
Secretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
- covertIntentionally concealed
sneaky · clandestine · secretive · concealed · undetected · hidden · discreet · undercover · unobtrusive · slippery
disorder
Absence of organization
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- impulse controlRegulating sudden urges
- therapyCurative mental treatment
treatment · diagnosis · psychiatric · behavioral · counseling · cognitive · trigger · relapse · intervention · compulsive behavior
kleptomaniacalphilanthropic
Devoted to human welfare
munificent · generous · giving · altruistic · magnanimous
kleptomaniacalhonest
Free from deception
trustworthy · scrupulous · incorruptible · upright · ethical
kleptomaniacalrestrained
Held under control
self-controlled · disciplined · temperate · moderate · self-possessed