1
as in cups
a round vessel equipped with a handle and designed for drinking
a coffee mug
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in thugs
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 faces
the front part of the head
she joked about not having to see his ugly mug anymore
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in scowls
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 suckers
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 idiots
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 grimaces
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 photographs
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 mugs
Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Davis’ is just one of hundreds of 8647 products for sale online, ranging from T-shirts and hats to stickers and mugs, available across major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Etsy.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Traditional organization says all your mugs go together, all your utensils go together and all your appliances live in one corner.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
Consider open shelving for go-to plates, bowls and mugs.
—Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Pick up last-minute gifts including a wide range of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, wine tumblers, coffee mugs, umbrellas, sunglasses and more.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The subtle yellows and rust oranges of the upholstery match the shades of the rising sun, with terracotta mugs at the tea and coffee counter and bright pops of red from the centre tables in the living area.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
On Earth, we’re used to coffee resting in the bottom of our mugs, rain collecting in puddles—and urine traveling down a drain.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
Four years after the queen’s death, the shop is doing a brisk business in mugs, tea towels and key rings bearing the likeness of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch as the nation marks the centenary of her birth on Tuesday.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Constable and Turner remain central to British identity today, their paintings reproduced on coffee mugs and fridge magnets; Church’s position in American culture is more precarious.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Davis’ is just one of hundreds of 8647 products for sale online, ranging from T-shirts and hats to stickers and mugs, available across major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Etsy.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Traditional organization says all your mugs go together, all your utensils go together and all your appliances live in one corner.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
Consider open shelving for go-to plates, bowls and mugs.
—Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Pick up last-minute gifts including a wide range of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, wine tumblers, coffee mugs, umbrellas, sunglasses and more.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The subtle yellows and rust oranges of the upholstery match the shades of the rising sun, with terracotta mugs at the tea and coffee counter and bright pops of red from the centre tables in the living area.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
On Earth, we’re used to coffee resting in the bottom of our mugs, rain collecting in puddles—and urine traveling down a drain.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
Four years after the queen’s death, the shop is doing a brisk business in mugs, tea towels and key rings bearing the likeness of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch as the nation marks the centenary of her birth on Tuesday.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The video never provides an answer for this question, even as Kennedy plays pickleball, then mugs for the camera, then soaks in a Jacuzzi with a glass of milk, all while still in jeans.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mugs
Noun
-
Other products that typically have limits are oatmeal, yogurt cups, ramen noodles, pinto beans, fresh fruit like apples, oranges and tomatoes, as well as milk, eggs and cheese.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Add 2 cups of vinegar to the toilet tank and stir it around with a clean toilet or scrub brush.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
He’s beaten by thugs with a crowbar for an unfortunate outburst, exploited by neighbors in the council estate and arrested, all because people don’t understand Tourette syndrome.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mayor vows to catch 'thugs who did this' Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards promised that law enforcement will catch the people responsible for the violence at the mall.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 26-year-old faces charges, including domestic violence simple battery, domestic violence false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death to the medical examiner’s office or law enforcement and unlawfully holding or moving a human dead body in unapproved conditions.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
Pep Guardiola heavily rotated his side for Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final with Championship side Southampton on Saturday evening, bringing fresh faces into the starting XI and resting some of his key players for the final stretch of the league season.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Or, worse, how do dogs and pigs do it, with their litters, all those tiny mouths begging—is that what’s become of me?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Players who cover their mouths will be issued red cards, the International Football Association Board unanimously agreed at a special meeting Tuesday in Canada.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of the series’ most creative elements is the variety of scowls Graham deploys while arguing with Hezekiah, Mary, or his younger brother, Treacle (James Nelson-Joyce), a pragmatic family man who represents everything Sugar’s life could have been if he weren’t filled with so much self-loathing.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lilac shrubs also spread through suckers — new stems that sprout from the root system and can crowd out other plants.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Keep in mind that trumpet vines can become invasive by self-seeding and sending up suckers, so allocate ample space.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All of those are better options than a public rest stop where a bunch of other idiots are just trying to stretch their legs and empty their bladders.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Freedom from screech No one wants to sit near idiots who just want to scream about their love of their team and provoke fans into fights, like the one Monday between Yankees and Rangers fans at Globe Life Field.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chee grimaces in pain from his ghost sickness wounds, and Manuelito notices.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mugs. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
