shoplift

verb

shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
shoplifted; shoplifting; shoplifts
Synonyms of shopliftnext

intransitive verb

: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

Examples of shoplift in a Sentence

The manager saw the kids shoplift and called the police. The kids shoplifted candy from the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The legislation is named for the 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan immigrant, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and who had once been arrested for shoplifting. — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 Gastonia police arrested two people accused of shoplifting at a Lowe’s Home Improvement Store store last week. — Lauren-Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Observer, 20 July 2025 The suspect was reportedly arrested after allegedly shoplifting and being involved in a domestic disturbance with her girlfriend, according to WREG Memphis. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 17 July 2025 In March, a couple in the Schenectady suburb of Rotterdam were arrested for allegedly shoplifting about $160 in food from a grocery store, a charge that would typically have only resulted in a desk appearance ticket. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shoplift

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from shoplifter

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoplift was in 1756

Rhymes for shoplift

See All Rhymes for shoplift

Browse Nearby Words

shopkeeping
shoplift
shoplifter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoplift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoplift. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

shoplift

verb
shop·​lift -ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: to steal merchandise on display in stores

Legal Definition

shoplift

intransitive verb
shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift How to pronounce shoplift (audio)
: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

More from Merriam-Webster on shoplift

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shoplift

Nglish: Translation of shoplift for Spanish Speakers

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