robbery

noun

rob·​bery ˈrä-b(ə-)rē How to pronounce robbery (audio)
plural robberies
Synonyms of robberynext
: the act or practice of robbing
specifically : larceny from the person or presence of another by violence or threat

Synonyms of robbery

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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
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.
Duncan spent more than 28 years in prison over a fatal shooting during a robbery in 1981. — Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Oakland Police arrested three suspects last week on suspicion of multiple robberies. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 5 July 2026 The report also highlighted improvements in clearance rates and an overall decrease in major crime categories, including robberies. — Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 1 July 2026 In his apartment officers found black and gray clothing Fleming wore during the robberies as well as a black duffel bag, a gun belt with a holster, a large sum of cash still wrapped in bank currency bands, and multiple guns. — Mary Ella Hastings july 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for robbery

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of robbery was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing robbery

Rhymes for robbery

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Browse Nearby Words

robbers' roost
robbery
robbery insurance
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Cite this Entry

“Robbery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robbery. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

robbery

noun
rob·​bery ˈräb-(ə-)rē How to pronounce robbery (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on robbery

Nglish: Translation of robbery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about robbery

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