rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrobberyTheft by force or threat
noun

robbery

RAH-ber-ee/ˈrɑːbəri/

The taking of property through force or threat.

During the robbery, a man threatens a woman with a raised fist.

An adult Latina woman is forced to surrender her bag to a white male thief blocking her path with an intimidating raised fist.
Etymology
robbOld Frenchto rob or plunder
+eryOld Frenchact or practice

The pieces name the act or practice of robbing. The underlying verb included plundering or stripping a place by force, connecting the word with violent taking rather than theft alone.

In context

Criminology Guides0:54
a robbery is taking something from a person and using force or the threat of force to do it
Difference between Theft, Robbery, and Burglary

More examples

  • The cashier hands over the money during the armed robbery.
  • Police investigate two robberies involving threats of violence.
  • Charging that much for a bottle of water feels like highway robbery.

Forms

robbery · robberies

rob verb — Take property from someone by force or threat.

robber noun — Someone who steals through force or threats.

Similar words

theft
Stealing that does not necessarily involve force or threats.
mugging
Robbery involving a direct attack in a public place.