pilfer
11 synonyms for pilfer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To steal small amounts of things, especially items of little value.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From earlier pilfre, from Middle English pilfre (“booty”), from Old French pelfre (“plunder, booty, spoils”), of unknown origin. Compare pelf.
Full origin of pilfer →