rob

[ rob ]

/ rɒb /

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verb (used with object), robbed, rob·bing.

to take something from (someone) by unlawful force or threat of violence; steal from.

to deprive (someone) of some right or something legally due: They robbed her of her inheritance.

to plunder or rifle (a house, shop, etc.).

to deprive of something unjustly or injuriously: The team was robbed of a home run hitter when the umpire called it a foul ball. The shock robbed him of his speech.

Mining. to remove ore or coal from (a pillar).

verb (used without object), robbed, rob·bing.

to commit or practice robbery.

OTHER WORDS FOR rob

2 defraud, cheat.

See synonyms for rob on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about rob

rob Peter to pay Paul, to take something from one person or thing to pay one's debt or hypothetical debt to another, as to sacrifice one's health by overworking.

Origin of rob

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English robben, from Old French robber, from Germanic; compare Old High German roubōn.See reave¹

synonym study for rob

1. Rob, rifle, sack refer to seizing possessions that belong to others. Rob is the general word for taking possessions by unlawful force or violence: to rob a bank, a house, a train. A term with a more restricted meaning is rifle, to make a thorough search for what is valuable or worthwhile, usually within a small space: to rifle a safe. On the other hand, sack is a term for robbery on a huge scale during war; it suggests destruction accompanying pillage, and often includes the indiscriminate massacre of civilians: to sack a town or district.

OTHER WORDS FROM rob

un·robbed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rob

burglarize, mug, rip off, rob , steal

Other definitions for rob (2 of 2)

Rob

[ rob ]

/ rɒb /

noun

a male given name, form of Robert.

How to use rob in a sentence

During the pandemic, Rob, an Australia-based father of an 18-year-old who spoke on the condition that only his first name be used, has let his daughter spend the night at the home of her boyfriend’s parents.
Teen romance in the age of covid: What parents need to know|Elizabeth Heubeck|January 6, 2021|Washington Post
She is disarmingly honest and her inwardness doesn’t rob her of adulation.
This Startup Star Is the New Face of Saudi Arabia|Daniel Malloy|December 20, 2020|Ozy
For his part, Horan said he would always remember not just being robbed two decades ago, but also the sacrifices of his service-industry colleagues.
Robbed at a Taco Bell 19 years ago, man surprises current employees with a holiday bonus|Marisa Iati|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
Many have been caught up in the PR spin that has robbed the tavern style of its fame.
If You Think Deep Dish Is Chicago’s True Pizza, Think Again|Joshua Eferighe|December 11, 2020|Ozy

I'm a woman married to a man who is less than two years younger than I am, and I've been told on multiple occasions that I'm robbing the cradle.
Carolyn Hax: The 10-year plan is his brainchild. Her 5-year plan is a child child.|Carolyn Hax|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Holsey admitted to killing a police officer after robbing a convenience store.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brute is the story of Mac and Jesse, two disenfranchised teens who turn to robbing houses as a form of recreation and quick cash.
Nitehawk Shorts Festival: ‘Brute,’ a Twisted Take on Playing in the Dark|Julia Grinberg|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Besides his obsessive preparations, Leslie introduced another tool to the bank-robbing trade —“the little joker.”
The High Society Bank Robber of the 1800s|J. North Conway|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A 24-hour moratorium on robbing convenience store late shifts.
The Ridiculousness of Father's Day|P. J. O’Rourke|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Al was robbing the bank so he could afford a sex-change operation for the guy.
Almost Famous: A Father's Day Story|Alex Belth|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He lived for some time as a bandit, robbing the subjects of the King of Gath, who had given him shelter.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Certainly Valerie deserved to conquer the ill health that was robbing her of so much of the zest of living.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O|Clair Blank
These worthy women would think they were robbing their dear village if they bought the least thing in Edinburgh.
Friend Mac Donald|Max O'Rell
Do you suppose for an instant that I am robbing these people here in Newport merely for the vulgar purpose of acquiring money?
Mrs. Raffles|John Kendrick Bangs
Next they held a council of war, the grand object of which was to hit upon some plan of robbing the friends of their new swag.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend|Charles Reade

British Dictionary definitions for rob

rob

/ (rɒb) /

verb robs, robbing or robbed

(tr) to take something from (someone) illegally, as by force or threat of violence

to plunder (a house, shop, etc)

(tr) to deprive unjustlyto be robbed of an opportunity

Derived forms of rob

robber, noun

Word Origin for rob

C13: from Old French rober, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German roubōn to rob

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012