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
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Admission is $10 and includes a commemorative souvenir mug that can be used throughout the day, organizers said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
The Disney Dining Plan covers one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack or non-alcoholic drink per night of stay as well as a resort mug.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Matching tableware could come in clutch, too — these pasta bowls and coffee mugs are 25 and 35 percent off, respectively.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mug
Noun
There’s Plunderer’s Punch (black spiced rum, blackberry, lime and vanilla) in souvenir pirate skull mug for $46.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Admission is $10 and includes a commemorative souvenir mug that can be used throughout the day, organizers said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
The Disney Dining Plan covers one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack or non-alcoholic drink per night of stay as well as a resort mug.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Matching tableware could come in clutch, too — these pasta bowls and coffee mugs are 25 and 35 percent off, respectively.
—Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mug
Noun
-
Or stay on theme and order a cup of strong, bold Turkish coffee ($4).—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Caffeine drinkers recorded better moods after a cup of coffee or tea in the first two and a half hours of waking up, compared with later in the day.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As night falls, armed thugs roam the streets and families pick up guns to protect themselves.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Digging and cutting back garden thugs is often necessary to preserve what grows on your side of the fence.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Proactive financial planning, estate building, and family or group investment funds create security and long-term stability in the face of systemic inequity.—
Britney Porter,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Already, Indianapolis department heads were asked to reduce costs to balance the 2026 budget in the face of a $43 million revenue shortfall.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes when his mouth opens in a meow, little to no sound comes out.—
Tao Lin,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Stock image: Two dogs play with a toy in their mouth on the grass.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But he would be called things, and strangers would sometimes eavesdrop on our conversations and grimace.—
Tina Knowles,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2025
-
In an alarming sight for an already-banged-up inside linebacker room, Greenlaw pulled up with a grimace after covering J.K. Dobbins on an LB-RB one-on-one pass-coverage drill.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
And the bent cherry sucker inside was a cute touch.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Seer sucker isn’t just for the Kentucky Derby anymore.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The sight of its famous red masthead enclosing a scowling image of India’s leader produced a visceral reaction within the country.—
Aatish Taseer,
Time,
15 July 2025
-
The dancers are slinky rather than angular, grinning rather than scowling, frisky rather than tough.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The cameras also photograph license plates on passing cars.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Carpenter and Swift were first photographed together at an MTV VMAs after-party in 2022.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mug. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share