robbed; robbing
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
: to commit robbery
robber
noun
see also:
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
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
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
That such a hefty topic can be used to create such breathless, eye-watering comedy without tipping into self-indulgence — and without robbing the film of its most meaningful drama — is practically a miracle.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
The two-game skid that now has followed has robbed some of that hope.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Nguyen says not giving the money to the district would be like robbing her constituents for the second time.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Mar. 2026
Two men followed a 70-year-old man into his apartment building and robbed him in the elevator, stealing $485 in cash and two blank, unsigned money orders — one for $542, the other for $9 — according to a review of the case that the prosecutor’s office released Monday.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rob
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Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
The two-game skid that now has followed has robbed some of that hope.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Nguyen says not giving the money to the district would be like robbing her constituents for the second time.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Mar. 2026
Two men followed a 70-year-old man into his apartment building and robbed him in the elevator, stealing $485 in cash and two blank, unsigned money orders — one for $542, the other for $9 — according to a review of the case that the prosecutor’s office released Monday.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rob
Cite this Entry
“Rob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rob. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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