robber

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "robber" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who takes something illegally by force or threat of violence. For example, "The robber ran away with the money in his hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The block-letter handwriting bears some similarities and crucially Balestrero misspells the word "drawer" as "draw" – the same mistake as the robber made.

The Guardian

By the time of the 1994 Cup semi Irwin was lining up for United and Royle was referring to Alex Ferguson as a robber for stumping up only around £600,000 for him.

The Guardian - Sport

The robber followed Evans into the entrance hall of the block of flats after pretending that he was going to help him with his wheelie bag as he returned from a shopping trip, before lunging for a wallet which contained just £5.

The Guardian

A robber who knocked over a 92-year-old man in the entrance lobby of his central London flat has been jailed for 30 months.

The Guardian

The Málaga coast is as famous for some of its former residents - such as M25 road-rage killer Kenneth Noye and Security Express robber Ronnie Knight - as it is for its beautiful scenery.

The Guardian

He is eventually exonerated when the true robber is arrested holding up a grocery store, although at the end of the movie his wife is in hospital suffering from depression.

The Guardian

He won national fame by living on food stamps for a while, chasing down a robber and persuading Mark Zuckerberg, the boss of Facebook, to donate $100m to Newark's schools.

The Economist

Sentences got stiffer; Bertie Smalls, an armed robber turned "supergrass", informed on dozens of London's criminals.

The Economist

He once chased down a suspected robber.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last year "Stander", a Johannesburg film about a cop-turned-bank-robber, packed local cinemas but did not play abroad.In this section The siren song of the outsider Bernie's turn Oil's not well An awful lot of brewing in Brazil After Charlize File that More fun than phones The three Fs Going east In the court of Queen B ReprintsExpect bigger films as the industry expands.

The Economist

Much as in the robber-baron era, there has been a concentration of wealth at the top of the income ladder.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "robber" when referring to someone who steals, especially with the implication of force or threat. For more specific contexts, consider alternatives like "burglar" or "shoplifter".

Common error

Avoid using "robber" interchangeably with terms like "thief" or "burglar" without considering the context. "Robber" specifically implies the use or threat of force, whereas "thief" is a more general term and "burglar" refers to entering a building to commit theft.

Linguistic Context

The word "robber" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a person who commits robbery. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately describes someone who steals, especially using force or the threat of force. Examples show its usage in various news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "robber" is a noun used to describe someone who commits robbery, typically involving force or the threat of force. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided. While synonyms like "thief" and "burglar" exist, "robber" specifies the use or threat of violence during the act. The term maintains a generally neutral register, suitable for objective reporting and factual discussions of criminal activity. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and effective communication when discussing criminal acts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thief

A more general term for someone who steals.

Burglar

Specifies someone who breaks into a building to steal.

Mugger

Specifically refers to someone who attacks and robs someone in a public place.

Bandit

Often implies a more organized or historical form of robbery, sometimes in a rural setting.

Shoplifter

Someone who steals goods from a store while pretending to be a customer.

Looter

Someone who steals during a time of chaos or disaster.

Highwayman

Refers to a historical robber who preyed on travelers on highways.

Filcher

Implies petty theft or pilfering.

Criminal

A broad term referring to someone who commits any crime, including robbery.

Outlaw

Someone who has broken the law and is on the run from authorities.

FAQs

How is "robber" different from "thief"?

"Thief" is a general term for someone who steals, while "robber" implies the use of force or threat of force during the act of stealing. A "thief" might pickpocket someone, whereas a "robber" might hold someone at gunpoint.

What's the difference between a "robber" and a "burglar"?

A "robber" uses force or intimidation in the act of stealing, whereas a "burglar" unlawfully enters a building with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft, without necessarily confronting anyone.

What are some synonyms for "robber"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "thief", "burglar", "mugger", "bandit", or "looter". The best choice depends on the specific details of the situation.

When should I use "robber" instead of "thief"?

Use "robber" when the act of stealing involves direct confrontation and the use or threat of force. If the stealing occurs without such confrontation, "thief" is more appropriate. For example, you would call someone who steals from a bank at gunpoint a "robber", but someone who shoplifts is a "thief".