pilfering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pilfering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of stealing or taking something, typically in a small or petty manner. Example: "The store owner was frustrated to discover that pilfering had become a common issue among customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've met a volunteer who caught the programme coordinator pilfering funds from an orphanage in Kenya.

The Guardian

A habit of pilfering foreigners' ideas can discourage them from developing distinctive products and brand identities.

The Economist

But even without it there is no bar against pilfering MPs from opposition parties.

The Economist

But it too is something of a fiscal fudge, pilfering money from clean-ups of leaking fuel, tariffs and other improbable sources, without completely compensating for the shortfall in the highway fund.Moreover, the Senate bill has a lifespan of just two years (whereas the House bill has five), in a deliberate effort to skirt the growing cracks in the funding formula.

The Economist

The motives of state-sponsored or state-tolerated hackers are harder to categorise, ranging from a wish to cause chaos to pilfering industrial secrets.

The Economist

He would like rich countries to impose "intellectual-property sanctions" on China, to prevent it from acquiring the advanced technology behind such things as passenger jets until it stops pilfering foreign know-how.

The Economist

Difficult operating conditions since independence (including several blood-soaked regimes in Uganda), inept management, pilfering and an unhelpfully narrow gauge have combined to ruin it.

The Economist

But such attacks can still do damage: China has a long (and vigorously denied) history of pilfering military secrets from foreign computers.

The Economist

At that frequency the costs of "shrinkage" (packing errors, pilfering, and so on) can add up, says Mr Singhi, of BCG.

The Economist

How else could I survive?" He was later seen pilfering two Mickey Mouse satchels, which could prove useful if he ever goes to school.A typical civil war leaves a country 15% poorer than it would otherwise have been, and with perhaps 30% more people living in absolute poverty.

The Economist

He was forced to backtrack, because many feared losing the little they have (and the opportunity for pilfering that state jobs offer).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of stealing small items or amounts, "pilfering" is a suitable term. It effectively conveys the petty and often surreptitious nature of the theft.

Common error

Avoid using "pilfering" when describing major thefts or large-scale corruption. "Pilfering" implies a minor offense, so using it in the wrong context can trivialize the severity of the crime.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pilfering" is as a verb form, specifically the present participle or gerund of the verb "pilfer". It is used to describe the act of stealing, often in a petty or surreptitious manner, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pilfering" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe the act of stealing small items or amounts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and carries a neutral tone. While it's important to avoid using it for more serious forms of theft, it effectively conveys the petty and often surreptitious nature of the act. Consider alternatives like "petty theft" or "filching" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The term is well-established and understood, making it a reliable choice for describing minor thefts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filching

Similar to pilfering but can imply a more secretive or sneaky manner of stealing.

petty theft

Focuses on the minor nature of the stealing, emphasizing small value or quantity.

pinching

An informal term for stealing, often used for small or trivial items.

embezzlement

Implies a breach of trust where someone misappropriates funds or assets from their employer or organization.

misappropriation

A formal term for dishonestly taking something for one's own use, often in a professional or financial context.

larceny

A more formal and legal term for theft, often used in legal contexts.

purloining

A somewhat archaic or formal term for stealing, suggesting a deliberate act.

shoplifting

Specifically refers to stealing goods from a store while pretending to be a customer.

appropriating

Suggests taking something for one's own use, often without permission or rightful claim.

skimming

Suggests subtly taking a small portion of something, often money, over time.

FAQs

How to use "pilfering" in a sentence?

You can use "pilfering" to describe the act of stealing small items or amounts, like "The employees were caught "pilfering" office supplies".

What can I say instead of "pilfering"?

You can use alternatives like "petty theft", "filching", or "skimming" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "pilfering" and "embezzlement"?

"Pilfering" generally refers to stealing small items or amounts, while "embezzlement" involves misappropriating funds or assets, often from an employer or organization.

Is "pilfering" a formal or informal term?

"Pilfering" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal terms like "larceny" may be preferred in legal settings.