Rob and steal both mean ‘take something from someone without permission’.
Rob focuses on the place or person from which the thing is taken.
Steal focuses on the thing that is taken.
Look at the examples below:
ROB – you rob a person or place (of something)
rob – robbed – robbed
To rob means to take something from someone using force, threat, or violence. It typically involves a confrontation or intimidation of the victim. Robbery often happens in a public setting or a place where the victim is present.
EXAMPLES:
The thieves robbed the bank at gunpoint.
The thief robbed the bank (of money).
She was robbed at gunpoint.
Their house was robbed while they were out to dinner.
The thieves robbed the armored vehicle yesterday.
STEAL – you steal something (from a person or place)
steal – stole – stolen
To steal means to take something that belongs to someone else without permission and with the intention of keeping it for oneself. This act can occur without the knowledge of the owner. It can involve taking something discreetly or without violence.
EXAMPLES:
She stole money from her friend’s purse.
They stole all her jewelry.
Someone stole my phone.
His car was stolen last year.
One of my workmates stole my lunch from the fridge.
In summary, while both involve taking something unlawfully, “steal” is more general and can involve taking something without the owner’s knowledge, whereas “rob” specifically implies using force or threat to take something from someone directly.