1
2
as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
just a bunch of mugs with no respect for anyone, not even themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in face
the front part of the head
she joked about not having to see his ugly mug anymore
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in grimace
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
an involuntary mug at the revolting sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in sucker
chiefly British
one who is easily deceived or cheated
the cardsharp was always on the lookout for a new mug
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in idiot
chiefly British
a stupid person
what kind of mug goes out in the rain without his brolly or a mackintosh?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to grimace
to distort one's face
every time their picture was snapped, both children mugged by sticking out their tongues or scrunching up their faces
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to photograph
to take a photograph of
mugging captured criminals for the police records
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of mug
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 June 2025
But the occasion wasn’t invented merely to sell greeting cards, coffee mugs, and last-minute neckties.
—Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025
This week, the Stanley Cup Final will start, and 48 hours after Lord Stanley’s hallowed mug is awarded, the offseason fun will commence.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Jail records show Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail early Monday and included two mug shots of Boelter wearing an orange prison shirt.
—Obed Lamy, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mug
Noun
Photos can even be printed on objects that have multiple uses, which include photo pillows and photo mugs, among others.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 June 2025
But the occasion wasn’t invented merely to sell greeting cards, coffee mugs, and last-minute neckties.
—Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025
This week, the Stanley Cup Final will start, and 48 hours after Lord Stanley’s hallowed mug is awarded, the offseason fun will commence.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Jail records show Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail early Monday and included two mug shots of Boelter wearing an orange prison shirt.
—Obed Lamy, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mug
Noun
-
Upstairs, the chalet’s gift shop carries all varieties of cheeses and quality goods, such as coffee cups with traditional découpage silhouette scenes.—
John Oseid,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The tiny appliance can cook up to two cups of rice.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Ultra Man is sort of Lex's thug and is pretty powerful.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 June 2025
-
This will reveal paid fake thugs posing as protesters becoming violent.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
But slathering on your go-to face or body sunscreen isn’t always the best move.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
1 July 2025
-
Wear a hat: A hat with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) that's large enough to shade the lower half of your face can also help protect your lips.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
This 30-year-old expression is smooth, flavorful, and rich on the palate, with an oily viscosity and full-bodied robustness that envelops the mouth.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Indeed, at one point, the owner even pretended to place the ball in the machine using his mouth, just as his dog would do, but even that was beyond the golden's realm of understanding.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
When my daughter and I are outside, these pesky blood suckers feast.—
Cheryl Fenton,
Parents,
24 June 2025
-
Along the way, the administration recast the U.S. commitment to European security from a mutually beneficial partnership to a sucker’s game that enabled gluttonous free-riding at Americans’ expense.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
The exhibit became the main discussion topic amongst his peers and Claude, scowling and sour about missing it, chewed his lower lip waiting patiently for the subject to change.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 June 2025
-
In the meantime, Claude scrutinized the room, alternately winking and scowling at the residents and care workers within eyeshot before diligently watching the door.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Sabrina Carpenter is photographed in an all-gray ensemble at the Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 27.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
30 June 2025
-
Sunday's sighting marks what appears to be the first time in years—and the first during Trump's second term—that he has been publicly photographed wearing reading glasses.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mug. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share