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)
(2)
: to take the contents of (a receptacle)
c
: to take away as loot : steal
rob jewelry
2
a
: to deprive of something due, expected, or desired
b
: to withhold unjustly or injuriously

intransitive verb

: to commit robbery
robber noun
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

Examples of rob in a Sentence

Someone tried to rob me. The cashier was robbed at gunpoint.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
McNeil made a highlight-reel catch in the first inning to rob Marcell Ozuna of extra bases, scaling the wall in center field, and giving Holmes a chance to pitch with zeroes on the board. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025 Twelve years ago high school basketball player Tony Farmer collapsed after hearing his sentence in criminal court for kidnapping, assaulting and robbing a former girlfriend. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 June 2025 Thompson said the shooters were wearing masks and trying to rob her son and his friends. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025 An Achilles tear will rob Haliburton of a significant portion, perhaps all, of his 2025-26 season. Tony East, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rob

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)

Time Traveler
The first known use of rob was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rob. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

rob

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rob

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!