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

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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
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 Fill a basket or small tote bag with a favorite regional goodie (think cheese straws or pepper jelly), makeup wipes, a few hydration powder packs, and even an insulated coffee mug for mornings on the dock. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 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 But besides hotel coffee makers and practically anything in a bathroom, other notoriously contaminated hotel surfaces include telephones, light switches, refrigerator handles, coffee mugs, and doorknobs. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 30 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
  • The Aspiron Canister Vacuum is designed with a powerful brushless motor, three-stage filtration system, and large dust cup that keeps shoppers from having to constantly empty it.
    — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • Gardencup specializes in gourmet salads and bowls layered in a unique, portable cup—just shake, pour and eat.
    — Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of cup
Noun
  • Alyssa Thomas' thug-like play, punching Caitlin Clark in the throat and kneeing her in the groin, is indefensible.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
  • Ditto Hugh Jackman’s unerring performance — perhaps his finest dramatic work yet — as a savage, unfeeling thug and unrepentant murderer and thief.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Definition of thug
Noun
  • According to the report, the boy first developed progressive facial numbness and tingling on the right side of his face, followed by loss of appetite, painful swallowing and vomiting.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Kiros, who defeated DeGette, is now the face of democratic socialists in the state.
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • Benjamin Willis, a Lorain, Ohio, teenager and huge Marvel movie fan, opened his mouth in awe.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • Losing to a rival is bad enough, but how the defeat unfolded is sure to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of one of the greatest strikers ever.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 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
  • And that became mighty inconvenient in the seventh inning, when shortstop Willy Adames swung through a pitch, grimaced with lower back pain and made a tapping-out gesture to the dugout.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • Murdaugh was grimacing and biting his lower lip during the exchange.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 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 Jul. 2026.

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