What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
thieving
Example
The thieving raccoon snatched the food from the campsite. [thieving: adjective]
Example
He was caught thieving from the store and was arrested. [thieving: present participle]
stealing
Example
She was accused of stealing money from her employer. [stealing: verb]
Example
Stealing is wrong and can lead to serious consequences. [stealing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stealing is more commonly used than thieving in everyday language. Stealing is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while thieving is less common and often used in literary or poetic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between thieving and stealing?
Both thieving and stealing are informal words that are not typically used in formal contexts. However, stealing is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
