pilfering
Sneaky small stealing
Pilfering is stealing in small quantities, typically of low-value items.
The word suggests repeated, petty theft rather than a single dramatic heist: Employees caught pilfering office supplies.
Someone might pilfer snacks from a roommate's stash or pilfer coins from a tip jar.
The noun form describes both the act and the habit.
Secretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- covertIntentionally concealed
- sneakyStealthily deceptive
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
clandestine · sly · light-fingered · secretive · stealthy · undetected · on the sly · under the table
Stealing store merchandise
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- kleptomaniaIrresistible impulse to steal
- boostingIncreasing force or level
- five-finger discountSlang for shoplifting
Petty theft
- swipeQuick sliding motion
- snatchRapid forceful taking
- pocketingTaking and keeping covertly
- nickingSmall cuts or thefts
skim · pinch · purloin · lift · mooch · cabbage · abstract · hook
Passing lightly over
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- shrinkageDecrease in size
- office suppliesMaterials for desk work
- cash registerRetail transaction machine
employee theft · petty cash · padding expenses · fiddling · cooking the books
furtive
Secretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- covertIntentionally concealed
- sneakyStealthily deceptive
underhanded · clandestine · sly · light-fingered · secretive · stealthy · undetected · on the sly · under the table · behind closed doors
shoplifting
Stealing store merchandise
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- kleptomaniaIrresistible impulse to steal
- boostingIncreasing force or level
five-finger discount · retail theft · grab and run · wardrobing · return fraud
filch
Petty theft
nicking · skim · pinch · purloin · lift · mooch · cabbage · abstract · hook · appropriate
skimming
Passing lightly over
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- shrinkageDecrease in size
- office suppliesMaterials for desk work
cash register · employee theft · petty cash · padding expenses · fiddling · cooking the books
- theftstealing, larceny, steal, burglary, robbery
- misconductmisconduct, bullying, stealing, vandalism, cheating
- plunderlooting, loot, booty, pillaging, spoils
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
- financial fraudsecurities fraud, bank fraud, accounting fraud, defalcation, embezzler
- workplace crimesembezzling, wage theft, payroll fraud, insider trading, kickbacks
pilferingreturning
Going back to origin
restoring · restitution · giving back · replacing · repaying
pilferingpurchasing
Acquiring through payment
buying · earning · procuring · receiving · inheriting