Do you know the definition of heist? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word heist, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to Dictionary and Cambridge Dictionary of the English Language, the word heist means a crime in which things are taken illegally, often that are stolen violently from a place or person. For example, a person who takes a million dollars’ worth of diamond jewels from someone at gunpoint would be performing a heist. There are many different forms of heists, from an attempted robbery, to a money heist, to an armored car heist. There are also many a popular heist film, in which the main plot centers around a robbery, like the diamond heist flick Ocean’s Eight or other quotidian dramas on streaming services like Netflix. These often end with the main characters planning the heist of the century in an interesting way, succeeding, and then planning their next heist in the immediate aftermath of the heist. In real life, there might be drug heists in a shady part of the city. These could incove a stolen wallet, undue harassment, harm to another, or a stolen fortune. There are many different levels of heists, from those performed by a skilled thief to a pickpocketer to an international terrorist. To succeed in a heist, one might have to bypass an alarm system or use code lingo with their co conspirators. People might discover a heist by the sounds of the robbers.
There are many different languages that contain words that mean heist. You may notice that some of these words look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases that mean the same thing between languages as well as looking and sounding the same. These are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations is provided by Word Sense.
According to Etymonline, the word heist has been used as a verb since 1943. This word is implied in the related words heisted and heister, meaning shoplifter or thief, which has been sued since the year 1927. This is an American ENglish slang term that is probably some alteration of the word hoist, meaning to lift. This is related to the word shoplift, meaning to rob a store. This is also related to the British slang sense of to lift someone on one’s shoulders. The word heist has been sued as a noun since 1930.
What are examples of heist?
The word heist can be used in many different sentences to describe a complex robbery or theft. In this example, Rick and Tony plan their heist.
Rick: In this heist, we are going to steal a million dollars’ worth or jewels from the museum!
Tony: And I am going to steal the love of a woman!
Rick: No, Tony. We’re professional bank robbers, we’re going to steal thin silver chains and nouveau riche treasures, not love!
What are synonyms and antonyms for the word heist?
There are numerous words that have the same meaning as the word heist. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are a great way to expand your vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word heist is provided by Thesaurus.
vandalism
sneak
cheating
rapacity
transgression
violation
depravity
purloining
looting
illegality
heist
snatch
infraction
embezzlement
peculation
fraud
delict
defrauding
malefaction
pilfering
crime
villainy
shoplifting
robbery
swindle
score
pinch
racket
touch
plunder
larceny
wrongdoing
caper
pillage
snitch
malfeasance
job
criminality
breach
filch
wickedness
holdup
hustle
outrage
thievery
lawlessness
grab
enormity
trespass
break-in
delinquency
mortal sin
extortion
rip-off
unlawful act
immorality
infringement
hit
appropriation
annexation
corruption
swiping
tort
piracy
antisocial behavior
lift
five-finger discount
abomination
theft
swindling
iniquity
misdemeanor
stickup
misdeed
atrocity
case
deprivation
sting
evil
fault
mugging
fleece
breaking and entering
robbing
misconduct
wrong
vice
dereliction
burglary
evil behavior
break
felony
scandal
steal
delictum
fast one
pilferage
thieving
There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of the word heist. These are called antonyms, or “opposite words.” Antonyms are another quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word heist is also provided by Thesaurus.
incorruptibility
rectitude
morality
worthiness
respectability
prudence
kindness
ideal
character
generosity
advantage
quality
excellence
love
charity
good point
high-mindedness
asset
purity
value
integrity
innocence
faithfulness
chastity
plus
honor
virtue
ethicalness
probity
ethicality
temperance
fortitude
hope
faith
righteousness
trustworthiness
merit
credit
justice
uprightness
fineness
goodness
consideration
temper
ethic
worth
Overall, the word heist is a noun that refers to a crime in which things are stolen, often violently. The word heist can be used in many different circumstances, and is a popular topic for many different films.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.