# robbing

/ˈɹɑbɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈɒbɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/robbing
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. stealing with force

verb · CEFR B1

taking money or property from a person or place by using force or threats.

For teachers: the present participle of 'rob', describing the act of feloniously taking property from the person or presence of another by violence or intimidation.

- The police caught the man while he was robbing a local convenience store.
- Witnesses reported seeing two masked individuals robbing the jewellery store in broad daylight before fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

### 2. the act of theft

noun · CEFR B2

the crime of stealing from somewhere or someone.

For teachers: the act or instance of committing a robbery; functions as a gerund or verbal noun.

- Robbing is a serious crime that can lead to many years in prison.
- The legal definition distinguishes between simple theft and the more violent act of robbing, which involves a direct confrontation with the victim.

## Examples

- The police caught the man robbing the bank.
- Witnesses reported seeing two masked individuals robbing the jewelry store in broad daylight before escaping in a stolen car.
- The defendant was charged with robbing several convenience stores, though his legal team argued that the lack of a physical weapon should mitigate the severity of the sentencing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.