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

The Friday robbery happened about 12:25 a.m. at the 7-Eleven store in the 3500 block of Grand Avenue. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025

She was charged with felony kidnapping, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer during the commission of a felony and felony violation of probation. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Ramos has been arrested 19 times, mostly for robbery and burglary, according to police. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025

This very real robbery happened in Pittsburgh in 1995. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th 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