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

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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

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?

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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
At 8 on the morning after the assault, after the victim looked fruitlessly through books of mug shots in hopes of identifying her assailant, Syracuse detective George Lorenz interviewed her. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 Her mug shot was provided to the press, which pounced on the story of the young woman’s gruesome murder. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026 Behind every mug shot is a trail of confusion and heartbreak. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 A little larger than a large coffee mug, the compact projector delivers incredible Dolby sound from its small, cube-like shape. — Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 26 June 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
  • Messi beat Balenziaga twice, as well as three other Athletic players, during a crazy dribble that belonged in a school playground, not a cup final.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • The existing Illy Art Collection of cups and mugs, by his account, is the largest of its kind in the world.
    — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of cup
Noun
  • Threatening to limit mail-in voting, adding ridiculous ID requirements, or staging thugs at polling places are other possible ways to convince you to stay home.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2026
  • To be sure, the thugs of Hamas and Hezbollah committed a horrific massacre of young Jewish civilians enjoying a music festival on October 7, 2023.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
Definition of thug
Noun
  • The section of the AT&T Stadium concourse where the group of DFW sports faces and media had gathered was quickly silenced.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • It can only really be described by the faces of anguish and pure joy on the face of English supporters who have watched every second of their team’s campaign this summer – often packing pubs in the earlier hours for the chance to celebrate together.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • Ortiz also allegedly admitted to covering her mouth during the incident.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026
  • The episode ends with everyone breathing through their mouths and wondering how, exactly, to react.
    — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 11 July 2026
Definition of mouth
Noun
  • The role requires basically one expression, a mechanized scowl.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 26 June 2026
  • His scowl in training sessions was permanent.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of scowl
Noun
  • Afterward, Kenins recommends removing water sprouts and suckers.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
  • Any Bay State citizen from Boston to Great Barrington would have been handcuffed and hauled into court yesterday for sucker-punching a fellow bar patron the way a State Police officer did over the weekend.
    — Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of sucker
Noun
  • Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
  • Lluís then calls Puig Antich a moron.
    — Colm Tóibín, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of moron
Verb
  • Seigler remained down for several minutes, bleeding from one arm and grimacing in pain as interim manager Chad Tracy and trainers rushed out to check him for a head injury.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
  • But the Canadian dug in to hold, and Djokovic was still grimacing in pain in between points.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 7 July 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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