1 heist | Definition of heist

heist

verb
\ ˈhīst How to pronounce heist (audio) \
heisted; heisting; heists

Definition of heist

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 chiefly dialectal : hoist
2a : to commit armed robbery on

heist

noun

Definition of heist (Entry 2 of 2)

: armed robbery : holdup also : theft

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Synonyms for heist

Synonyms: Verb

appropriate, boost [slang], filch, hook, lift, misappropriate, nick [British slang], nip, pilfer, pinch, pocket, purloin, rip off, snitch, steal, swipe, thieve

Synonyms: Noun

grab, pinch, rip-off, snatching, swiping, theft

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Examples of heist in a Sentence

Verb

a professional burglar was able to heist a box of jewelry from the safe in the closet

Noun

it was the largest jewelry heist in the city's history

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

There are good jokes that work and heist setpieces that don’t. Darren Franich, EW.com, "Toy Story 4 goes beyond endings, with mixed results: EW review," 13 June 2019 Sandra Bullock’s perfectly textured waves were a beautiful distraction, almost heisting the whole movie. Kathleen Hou, The Cut, "Why Did Sandra Bullock’s Hair Look So Good in Prison?," 19 June 2018 Garner is currently facing charges in the Lake Monroe Park heists, but the Sheriff’s Office said more charges are pending for the thefts at the Splash Pad. Jeff Weiner, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Volusia deputies nab 'bathroom brass bandit' in toilet-fixture thefts," 10 Feb. 2018 Waymo has drawn a sordid picture, contending that Levandowski heisted thousands of documents containing Google trade secrets before defecting to Uber. Michael Liedtke, The Seattle Times, "A raucous Google-Uber fight is finally heading to trial," 4 Feb. 2018 The security officer said one man provided a distraction, while his partner heisted a large-screen television. John Benson, cleveland.com, "Thieves caught stealing 50-inch television: Brooklyn Police Blotter," 1 Nov. 2017 It has been discussed and dissected from the day he was officially heisted from the University of Pittsburgh's staff last Dec. 14. Ron Higgins, NOLA.com, "Is LSU's new offense ready for its close-up?," 29 Aug. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

And Sunday’s heist apparently isn’t the first time Avianne & Co. has been targeted. Greg Norman | Fox News, Fox News, "New York jewelry store heist suspects seen robbing store in surveillance tape released by cops," 26 Aug. 2019 Sheila has a boyfriend who’s going to be dropping by the store, and Billy’s pulling this heist under orders from a biker gang. Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘Jacob’s Ladder,’ another remake nobody asked for, and more movies," 22 Aug. 2019 He had been released from prison less than five months before the jewelry heist, records show. Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Mason man involved in $1 million jewel heist sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison," 21 Aug. 2019 After the heist, Ojeda Ríos became a fugitive from 1990 to 2005, when he was shot and killed by FBI agents in Puerto Rico. Susan Dunne, courant.com, "Documentary about Puerto Rican revolutionary Filiberto Ojeda Rios showing at Hartford Library," 19 Aug. 2019 Bizarrely, the bank did not notice even after the hacker pseudonymously boasted about the heist on social media—until it was tipped off. The Economist, "The Exxon Valdez of cyberspace," 8 Aug. 2019 In the two heists, they are accused of stealing $125 worth of toilet paper and paper towels. Carol Robinson | [email protected], al, "Trussville toilet paper bandit rolls up sheets of charges," 30 July 2019 Authorities said the same couple pulled off a nearly identical heist around 4 p.m. the next day at a Chevron gas station Food Mart on Garnet Avenue and Ingraham Street in Pacific Beach. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Suspects in 2 San Diego armed robberies arrested at Valley Center casino," 1 Aug. 2019 There were 18 robbery investigations including the Feb. 16, 2019 jewelry heist at Jared, and the Dec. 6, 2018 carjacking of a woman in the North Parking Deck. Carol Robinson | [email protected], al.com, "How safe is the Riverchase Galleria? Crime numbers for Alabama’s largest indoor mall," 15 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of heist

Verb

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1930, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for heist

Verb

variant of hoist entry 1

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More Definitions for heist

heist

noun

English Language Learners Definition of heist

chiefly US, informal : an act of stealing something from a bank or store

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More from Merriam-Webster on heist

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with heist

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heist

Spanish Central: Translation of heist

Nglish: Translation of heist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of heist for Arabic Speakers