mugging 1 of 2

mugging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of mug
1
2
as in photographing
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 mugging
Noun
Is a 1-game suspension enough for the mugging? Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026 While investigating this incident, CPD also learned that a shot was fired during a mugging, also in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 June 2026 There’s a whole plotline about Dzanielle’s desire to get a status dog walker named Yuki, who costs $1,500 a week, and another around a Birkin mugging. Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026 An immigrant delivery man bashed unconscious during a botched four-on-one Manhattan mugging died of his injuries months later, cops said Sunday. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026 That was the only way to see countries' delegations backflipping and mean-mugging from places like Cortina and Livigno, sort of alternating with the parade in Milan. Pien Huang, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026 Staged to look like a random mugging of a courier, the robbery was, in fact, a sophisticated heist that would ultimately involve the Provisional IRA, the New York mafia and the Colombian cartel. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 The mugging of his early selfies has vanished. David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025 This lawyer-mugging could go without any response today. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Mean-mugging white classmates who, in turn, were sheepish and chastened. Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 And yet, Simon Farnaby is perhaps most recognizable for mugging his rather expressive and jovial face, usually beneath a crop of untamed curly hair, across a series of scene-stealing comic cameos. Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 These are pictures of everyone competing at the tournament, wearing their nation’s kit, usually posing pretty seriously, but occasionally mugging for the camera. Nick Miller, New York Times, 12 June 2026 Anticipating that someone might tip off TMZ about his presence at Disney World, the Republican Florida senator Rick Scott posted a photo of himself mugging for the camera there. Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026 Noem seemed to relish cruelty, and treated her job like a costume party, constantly mugging for cameras with guns and faux toughness as if the dismantling of lives and imprisoning even children was a game. Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026 Toddler Adalina India, daughter of second baseman Jonathan India and his wife Daniella, scored a home run in the Cute Kiddie Pics division, mugging like a pro on the field for her mom. Lisa Gutierrez march 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 Denver’s 33-year-old shooting guard reveled in the moment, mean-mugging his way to the huddle. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026 For most of the show, Bad Bunny had been mugging merrily to the camera, flaring his eyes and making hammy gestures to illustrate his words. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mugging
Noun
  • Thanks to their magical abilities, potions, and supernatural powers, these girls solve crime, disappearances, burglaries and much more.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Perkins was initially charged with second-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • More people were wrapped around the block grimacing about not getting inside to support the local artists than made it inside.
    Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The 25th anniversary of 9/11 inspired Melanie Stetson Freeman to reflect on her experience photographing New York City in the days after the twin towers fell.
    Kurt Shillinger, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Gucci collaboration involved Goldin photographing an ad campaign that featured musicians Debbie Harry and Kelsey Lu.
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • An unusual home break-in involving a bear has evolved into an ongoing threat in one Asheville neighborhood, as the predator continues trying to get into houses, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The animals had spent roughly four hours inside the restaurant during the early morning, and Brandi’s description of their antics makes the surveillance footage sound more like an after-hours party than a break-in.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Once there, staring at the devastation, there was no denying the reality of death.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This, like Hamlet, is about staring death in the face and fulfilling a dream not thought impossible.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Another component Langdon has to consider that could add to the holdup is Detroit’s desire to save money for Ausar Thompson’s impending extension.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But as the Paramount-WBD merger shows, with the deal now held up because of an antitrust suit brought by state AGs, any wrench in the process can become a major holdup to dealmaking.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mugging. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster