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

• larceny
• stealing
• theft
• thievery

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

However street crimes, such as smash-and-grab raids on stores, home robberies and carjackings, have spiked. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 13 June 2024

His mom says doctors are ‘optimistic.’ CT man charged with two gunpoint bank robberies. —Hartford Courant, 13 June 2024

The latest preliminary quarterly crime figures from the FBI show dramatic decreases: a 26% drop in murders, robberies down by nearly 18% and violent crime overall down 15% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to last year in the same period. —Robert Legare, CBS News, 11 June 2024

Of course, the night ends in violence, which evokes all-too-familiar headlines, but the show impressively avoids clichés thanks to unexpected details like a secret door, a righteous robbery, and an invisible car. —EW.com, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing robbery

• armed robbery
• highway robbery

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