rob

rob

verb \ˈräb\

robbedrob·bing

Definition of ROB

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

— rob·ber noun

Usage Discussion of ROB

Sense vt 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

1. Someone tried to rob me.
2. The cashier was robbed at gunpoint.

Origin of ROB

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

Related to ROB

Synonyms: burglarize, burgle, knock off, knock over, rip off, steal (from), take off [slang]

Related Words: ransack, rifle; despoil, loot, pillage, plunder, ravish, sack, spoil, strip; bleed, break in, cheat, chisel, cozen, defraud, exploit, fleece, gyp, hustle, mulct, pluck, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle; hold up, mug, roll, stick up

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Rhymes with ROB

Ab, blob, bob, cob, daub, fob, glob, gob, hob, job, knob, lob, mob, nob, slob, snob, sob, squab, stob, swab, throb, yob