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

But the Knicks went 1-3 against the Pistons last year before beating them in six games in the first round last season — a series the Pistons remember vividly as a robbery of epic proportions. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026

Alexander William Schecter, 26, was charged with kidnapping to commit another crime, first-degree residential robbery, two counts of forcible oral copulation and forcible rape, all of which are felonies, according to a news release shared by the DA's Office. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

Carla says her parents had no idea who might be behind the robberies and were surprised the thieves had ignored the millions of dollars’ worth of paintings. —Jennifer Cannon, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026

Additionally, police have named Jackson as a suspect in the January robbery of a couple who had finished gambling at the San Pablo Lytton Casino, and were trailed to a Berkeley hotel, then robbed of their winnings. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 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