to take property unlawfully from a person or place, by force or threat of force, to deprive someone of something that is rightfully theirs

rob Peter to pay Paul, rob the cradle, highway robbery

Formal and Informal Expressions of rob

In different contexts, you can replace 'rob' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'deprive, plunder' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'rip off, stick up' is a commonplace synonym.

rob: Explore its Definition & Usage

rob Definition

1to take property unlawfully from a person or place, by force or threat of force
2to deprive someone of something that is rightfully theirs

Using rob: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "rob" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The bank was robbed at gunpoint.
Example
Someone broke into my house and robbed me of all my valuables.
Example
He was robbed of his chance to win the race.
Example
The company was accused of robbing its employees of their pensions.
Example
She felt like the situation had robbed her of her happiness.

rob Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for rob

Antonyms for rob

Phrases with rob

rob Peter to pay Paul
to take something from one person or thing to give it to another, especially when it results in harm or loss for the first person or thing
Example
The government is robbing Peter to pay Paul by cutting funding for education to increase military spending.
rob the cradle
to have a romantic relationship with someone who is much younger than oneself
Example
He's been criticized for robbing the cradle by dating someone half his age.
highway robbery
an act of charging an exorbitant or unfair price for something
Example
The price they charged for that meal was highway robbery!

Origins of rob

from Old English 'robbian', meaning 'to plunder'

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Summary: rob in Brief

The verb 'rob' [rɒb] means to take something unlawfully, often by force or threat. It can refer to stealing property or depriving someone of something rightfully theirs. Examples include 'The bank was robbed at gunpoint' and 'The company was accused of robbing its employees of their pensions.' Phrases like 'rob Peter to pay Paul' and 'highway robbery' extend the concept to other contexts.