Rob vs Steal
Rob and steal are two verbs used in English that show some difference between them in terms of their usage. They should not be interchanged for that matter. The word rob is used in the sense of ‘take from’. On the other hand, the word steal is used in the sense of ‘lift’. This is the main difference between the two words. The word rob is generally used only in the case of thefts that are considered high in volume. The loss in a robbery is usually a several hundred or thousand dollars of money. On the other hand, the word steal is used in the case of small thefts of lesser volume. This is another important difference between the two words.
It is interesting to note that the words rob and steal are both used as verbs. Both the words have abstract nouns in the form of ‘robbing’ and ‘stealing’ respectively. It is important to note that some words can be formed from the two verbs, namely, rob and steal. Words like robber can be formed from the verb rob while words like stealer can be formed from steal.
What does Rob mean?
The word rob is used in the sense of ‘take from’. Also, the word rob is generally used only in the case of thefts that are considered high in volume. Observe the two sentences given below.
He robbed jewels worth several hundred dollars.
The merchant was robbed of his cash.
In both the sentences, you can see that the word rob is used in the sense of ‘take from.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘he took away jewels worth several hundred dollars’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘the cash of the merchant was taken away’.
What does Steal mean?
The word steal is used in the sense of ‘lift’. Also, the word steal is used in the case of small thefts of lesser volume. Observe the two sentences given below.
Cash was stolen from the shop.
The thief steals money regularly.
In both the sentences, you can find that the word steal is used in the sense of ‘lift’. Usually the punishment for stealing is lesser when compared to the punishment awarded for robbing. This is due to the fact that robbing jewels and heavy cash is considered a bigger crime than stealing small sums of money or small articles. Hence, both these words should be employed according to the value of the articles or the money that has been subjected to theft.
What is the difference between Rob and Steal?
• The word rob is used in the sense of ‘take from’.
• On the other hand, the word steal is used in the sense of ‘lift.’
• The word rob is generally used only in the case of thefts that are considered high in volume.
• On the other hand, the word steal is used in the case of small thefts of lesser volume.
• Nouns such as robber can be formed from the verb rob and nouns like stealer can be formed from steal.
• Robbing and stealing are the abstract nouns of rob and steal respectively.
• Usually, punishment for stealing is lesser compared to robbing.
These are the important differences between the two words, namely, rob and steal.