kleptomaniac
kleptomaniac Lexical Profile
kleptomaniac Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who experiences a recurrent, irresistible urge to steal items, typically without regard for need or monetary value.
"Unlike an ordinary thief, a true kleptomaniac often feels intense tension before stealing and guilt afterward."
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or affected by kleptomania; having a persistent, neurotic impulse to steal.
"The psychiatrist worked with the patient to manage his kleptomaniac impulses through cognitive behavioral therapy."
Word Nuance & Usage
In clinical psychology, a kleptomaniac steals out of an irresistible psychological impulse rather than for financial gain, vengeance, or personal need, distinguishing the condition from ordinary shoplifting or theft.
• Rhymes for kleptomaniac
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-19th century from French kleptomane, combining Ancient Greek kleptēs ('thief', from kleptein 'to steal') and mania ('madness' or 'frenzy').