robbery

noun

rob·​bery ˈrä-b(ə-)rē 

plural robberies

: the act or practice of robbing

specifically : larceny from the person or presence of another by violence or threat

Synonyms of robbery

• stealing
• theft

Examples of robbery in a Sentence

a series of armed robberies

They foiled a bank robbery.

He is charged with attempted robbery.

She was arrested for robbery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Edward Busby's execution for the robbery and murder of a 77-year-old woman had been on hold for nearly a week. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 May 2026

Later in the day, Savitt said that Molo’s bank robbery analogy was flawed because Altman, Brockman and other OpenAI employees created the value in question in the first place. —David Ingram, NBC news, 14 May 2026

Rusher was arrested following two thefts in October 2025, resulting in charges for robbery, shoplifting and violating stay away orders. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 14 May 2026

At the time of the attack, Lavender had been out of jail for two days, after posting $60,000 bail in a pending robbery case. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing robbery

• armed robbery
• highway robbery

Rhymes for robbery

• jobbery
• snobbery

Kids Definition

robbery

noun

rob·​bery ˈräb-(ə-)rē 

plural robberies

: the act, practice, or an instance of robbing

Legal Definition

robbery

noun

rob·​bery

plural robberies

: the unlawful taking away of personal property from a person by violence or by threat of violence that causes fear : larceny from the person or immediate presence of another by violence or threat of violence and with intent to steal

— aggravated robbery

: robbery committed with aggravating factors (as use of a weapon, infliction of bodily injury, or use of an accomplice)

— armed robbery

: robbery committed by a person armed with a dangerous or deadly weapon

— simple robbery

: robbery that does not involve any aggravating factors

Etymology

Anglo-French robberie, roberie, from Old French, from rober to take something away from a person by force