Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of taking something from someone unlawfully: The crime of taking property that belongs to another person without permission and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it.
   • Avoiding detection by moving carefully: The act of moving in a secretive, quiet, or cautious manner, often to avoid being seen or heard. (This sense is less common and often appears in specific contexts like sports).

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Theft):
  • He was arrested for the stealing of a car.
  • Stealing is a serious crime with significant legal consequences.
• Noun (Cautious Movement):
  • The player's stealing of second base was a perfect slide.
  • The cat approached the bird with quiet stealing.

Advanced Usage

• "Stealing a glance/look": Looking at someone or something quickly and secretly.
  • She kept stealing glances at him during the meeting.
• "Stealing the show": Attracting the most attention and praise, often unexpectedly.
  • The young actress completely stole the show with her performance.

Variants and Related Words

• Steal (verb): The action form of the noun.
  • It is wrong to steal.
• Stolen (adjective/participle): Describing something that has been taken by theft.
  • The police recovered the stolen goods.

Synonyms

• Theft: The generic term for the act of stealing property.
• Larceny: A formal legal term for theft.
• Robbery: Theft involving force or threat of force.
• Burglary: Theft involving illegal entry into a building.
• Pilfering: Stealing items of little value.

Related Phrases

• Steal away: To leave a place quietly or secretly.
  • He decided to steal away from the party early.
• Steal over: (Of a feeling) to gradually affect someone.
  • A sense of calm stole over her as she listened to the music.

Related Idioms

• Steal someone's thunder: To take attention or credit away from someone else.
  • He announced his own project just before mine, completely stealing my thunder.
• Steal a march on someone: To gain an advantage over someone by acting before they do.
  • By launching the product early, the company stole a march on its competitors.

Noun

1. avoiding detection by moving carefully
2. the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
   • the thieving is awful at Kennedy International