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purloin
/pɜːˈlɔɪn/
This word is more formal than "steal." You will most often find it in literature, legal documents, or news reports rather than in everyday conversation. It specifically suggests a sense of sneakiness or theft by stealth, rather than an open robbery or a violent crime.
💬Casual Conversation
🎬Tuesday afternoon, Leo is texting Ryan while his sister Chloe is in the other room.
Leo
yo did you purloin my charger again? it's gone missing.
Ryan
bet. i thought it was mine lol
💡
Leo uses 'purloin' with a touch of high-school sarcasm to accuse Ryan of stealing his charger. Ryan responds with 'bet', a slang term used here as a casual admission or confirmation, reflecting his oblivious and laid-back personality.
Meanings
verb (transitive)
To steal something, typically in a sneaky or clandestine manner.
"The thief managed to purloin several valuable paintings from the gallery during the blackout."