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

None of the merchandise from any of the robberies has been recovered. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026

The teen suspect was also charged Thursday in a string of violent robberies and slashings targeting retailers in Midtown. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026

Federal prosecutors in New York announced on May 7 that an indictment was unsealed charging Alan Christhofer Cedeno-Ferrer, 24; Michael Mejia-Nunez, 29; and Ennait Alexis Sirett-Padilla, 24, in connection with the January robbery. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 May 2026

Talley also faces several other felony charges related to the shooting and an earlier robbery that day. —Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 8 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