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

This is the latest in a string of athlete robberies that have included the home invasion of Celtics star Jaylen Brown's mom, WWE stars Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, as well as Kansas City Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025

Craig Austin Lang, 35, was convicted in September on federal charges including robbery and conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 2025

Approximately $260,000 was taken during the robbery, according to the news release. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025

Even in the handful of countries where homicides have fallen in recent years, such as Brazil, rates of other crimes, such as robbery, remain high. —Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

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