rob

verb

ˈräb 

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)

rob a safe

(2)

: to take the contents of (a receptacle)

rob a hive of honey

c

: to take away as loot : steal

rob jewelry

2

a

: to deprive of something due, expected, or desired

made a great shot but was robbed by the goalie

Illness robbed her of a normal childhood.

b

: to withhold unjustly or injuriously

was robbed of a promotion

intransitive verb

: to commit robbery

robber noun

see also:

rob Peter to pay Paul

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

Synonyms of rob

• loot
• sack
• burglarize
• plunder
• steal (from)
• exploit
• strip
• cheat
• burgle

Examples of rob in a Sentence

Someone tried to rob me.

The cashier was robbed at gunpoint.

Recent Examples on the Web

The delay forced the show to skip introducing the nominees for the first half of the awards and instead have presenters just state the winner, robbing some attendees of hearing their names called for what felt like one of their biggest achievements. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 14 Nov. 2026

According to police and fire department accounts, Banks, who was wearing only underwear, was acting erratically and attempted to rob other citizens before officers arrived. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

Anderson allegedly robbed four banks for $36,000 in total cash in Winfield, Michigan City, and Munster from April to June 2021, according to a statement. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026

Critics felt that their time was robbed at 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2026

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)

Phrases Containing rob

• rob blind
• rob Peter to pay Paul
• rob the cradle

Rhymes for rob

• blob
• bob
• cob
• daub
• fob
• glob
• gob
• hob
• job
• knob
• lob
• mob

Kids Definition

rob

verb

ˈräb 

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