steal Definition
- 1to take something that belongs to someone else without permission or paying for it
- 2to move somewhere quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
Using steal: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "steal" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Someone stole my wallet on the train.
Example
She was caught stealing a pair of shoes from the store.
Example
He stole a glance at his watch.
Example
The thief stole into the house while they were sleeping.
Example
The spy stole the secret documents from the safe.
steal Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with steal
Example
I was going to announce my discovery at the meeting, but my colleague stole my thunder by revealing it first.
Example
The lead actor's performance was so good that he stole the show from the rest of the cast.
to gain an advantage over someone by doing something before they have a chance to do it
Example
By arriving early, we were able to steal a march on the competition and secure the best seats in the auditorium.
Summary: steal in Brief
To 'steal' [stiːl] is to take something that doesn't belong to you without permission or payment, or to move quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed. Examples include 'Someone stole my wallet on the train' and 'The thief stole into the house while they were sleeping.' Phrases like 'steal someone's thunder' and 'steal the show' describe taking credit or attention from others, while 'steal a march on someone' means gaining an advantage by acting first.
