mug 1 of 2

noun

ˈməg How to pronounce mug (audio)
Definition of mugnext
1
as in cup
a round vessel equipped with a handle and designed for drinking a coffee mug

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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
as in mouth
the opening through which food passes into the body of an animal keep your mug shut and listen up

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in scowl
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval an involuntary mug at the revolting sight

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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

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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?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mug

2 of 2

verb

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

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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
Noun
Think a warm mug, a few functional ingredients and a routine your brain can start to associate with sleep. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 25, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026 Agyarko might have taken this one on some cards and Kelly’s face afterward did not look like a mug of a man who successfully defended his title. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 Along the walls is limited-edition Clash of Clans merchandise, including a Hog Rider action figure, skeleton stickers and limited-edition mugs and T-shirts. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026 Trouble winding down before bed has more people reaching for a warm mug or a calming tea instead of a nightcap. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mug
  1. cup
  2. thug
  3. face
  4. mouth
  5. scowl
  6. sucker
  7. moron
  8. grimace
Noun
  • To finish, the server will build a tableside Hong Kong Milk Tea Tiramisu, with milk tea mascarpone Chantilly cream and lady fingers, served with a cup of subtle Hong Kong milk tea.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • While a league title may still represent a step too far, there is a compelling case that the Blues have a chance in the domestic cup competitions as Alonso begins building his new side.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of cup
Noun
  • Shortly after his big win, he’s attacked by two thugs in a parking garage.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
  • The night of the title fight, Duke is attacked by two thugs who smash his hand with a hammer and, in the ensuing chaos, kill somebody close to him.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
Definition of thug
Noun
  • The only new face that does demand a lot of attention so far is a prickly new assistant coach, Alice (an excellent Tanya Reynolds).
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The event included a bounce castle, food truck, pony rides, face-painting, the Aurora Public Library bookmobile and more.
    — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • That, combined with a 3-14 finish, left a sour taste in right tackle Armand Membou‘s mouth.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker’s master witnessed an explosion in close proximity to the vessel near Khasab, Oman, at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, late Sunday.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of mouth
Noun
  • Every once in a while, the goddess Athena (Zendaya) will appear at Odysseus’ side to judge his actions, mostly by offering a scowl of disapproval, the sort of face a wife makes when her husband loads the dishwasher wrong.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 July 2026
  • His scowl in training sessions was permanent.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of scowl
Noun
  • The Maryland Terrapins rolled these suckers out in the early 2010s and subsequently burned the retinas of college football fans all over the country.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Locate the Suckers Before you get started, find the plant’s main stems, which will have many secondary shoots or leaves, called suckers, growing off of them.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026
Definition of sucker
Noun
  • God help us all if some idiot, some moron, ever put you in charge.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026
  • Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Definition of moron
Verb
  • Garner started the video with a clip of her drinking leftovers from the drink container and seemingly getting a brain freeze, holding her hand to her forehead and grimacing.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Artur fell to the ground, grimaced in pain and held his hand up to get the referee’s attention.
    — Latif Love August 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of grimace

Browse Nearby Words

mufti
mug
mugged
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Cite this Entry

“Mug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mug. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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