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

Two women are charged in the 2007 shooting death of a man during a robbery in Lauderdale Lakes after a tip led detectives to an inmate at a women’s prison in north-central Florida. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Two felony robbery charges were dismissed as part of that plea. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026

Nearly two decades after 34-year-old Leon Heron was fatally shot during a robbery in an apartment complex parking lot, authorities have charged two women in connection with his murder. — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Europol has warned of an increase in museum robberies, with gold objects proving particularly attractive to thieves. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 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