robbed; robbing

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to take something away from by force : steal from
(2)
: to take personal property from by violence or threat
b(1)
: to remove valuables without right from (a place)
(2)
: to take the contents of (a receptacle)
c
: to take away as loot : steal
rob jewelry
2
a
: to deprive of something due, expected, or desired
b
: to withhold unjustly or injuriously

intransitive verb

: to commit robbery
robber noun
Can rob mean 'to steal'?: Usage Guide

Transitive sense 1c, in which the direct object is the thing stolen, is sometimes considered to be wrong, or perhaps archaic. The sense has been in use since the 13th century and is found in earlier literature.

contrive to rob the honey and subvert the hive John Dryden

It is still in use though not as common as other senses.

then robbed $100 after the clerk fled Springfield (Massachusetts) Morning Union

Examples of rob in a Sentence

Someone tried to rob me. The cashier was robbed at gunpoint.
Recent Examples on the Web In straining so hard to communicate youthful vitality, Gold mostly robs the show of its violent delights. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 The 87-year-old woman was robbed just before 4 p.m. Wednesday in a parking lot in the 5100 block of Telegraph Avenue in the Temescal district. Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 Clint and his mom attempt to rob a convenience store, which ends up a disaster. John Archer, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Left fielder Al Gionfriddo — in what turned out to be his last major league game — raced to the bullpen fence (415 feet from home plate) to rob DiMaggio of the home run. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rob 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rob.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English robben, from Anglo-French rober, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German roubōn to rob — more at reave

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of rob was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near rob

Cite this Entry

“Rob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rob. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rob

verb
robbed; robbing
1
a
: to take something away from a person or place in secrecy or by force, threat, or trickery
b
: to take away as loot : steal
2
: to keep from getting something due, expected, or desired
robber noun

More from Merriam-Webster on rob

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