mugger

1 of 3

noun (1)

mug·​ger ˈmə-gər How to pronounce mugger (audio)
: a usually harmless freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) of the Indian subcontinent with a broad heavy snout

mugger

2 of 3

noun (2)

: one who attacks with intent to rob

mugger

3 of 3

noun (3)

: one that grimaces especially before an audience

Examples of mugger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The heartless subway mugger who slashed and badly wounded a woman on an empty Manhattan train car will stay locked up following his arrest late last week. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025 The story documented the stabbing death of a 24-year-old father of two who was attacked by an armed mugger outside a casino in the city’s upscale Knightsbridge neighborhood. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2025 Will Death Wish inspire an actual vigilante to murder muggers? Andrew Tobias, Vulture, 7 July 2025 But even when not directly tied to a mob, Tucci played tough guys and enforcers on both sides of the law, from muggers and thieves (Beethoven, Undercover Blues), to cops and district attorneys (The Feud, Kiss of Death) to straight-up killers (The Pelican Brief, Jury Duty). Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Hindi & Urdu magar, from Sanskrit makara water monster

Noun (2)

mug entry 3

Noun (3)

mug entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1863, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mugger was in 1844

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mugger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mugger. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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