Cool MateRobbery vs Stealing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Robbery
Beyond 10,000 (less common)B2noun
Stealing
| Robbery | Stealing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈrɒbəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrɑːbəri/"]/ | |
| Meaning | Stealing from someone, usually with force. | |
| Example | **armed robbery** *(= using a gun, knife, etc.)* | - |
| Register | Neutral | - |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | - |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | attempted, botched, bungled, commit, take part in, foil, attempt, charge, suspect, robbery with violence | - |
| Antonyms | generosity, donation | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'burglary', which is entering a place to steal when no one is present., Used as a verb; correct form is 'to commit robbery'., Omitting details about the violent aspect of robbery. | - |
| Usage notes | Used in legal contexts and general discussions about crime. It's inappropriate in casual conversations or lighthearted contexts. | - |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Robbery vs Stealing
What's the difference between Robbery and Stealing?
Robbery: Stealing from someone, usually with force. Stealing:
Can I use Robbery and Stealing interchangeably?
Not always. Robbery and Stealing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.