mug 1 of 2

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
3
as in face
the front part of the head she joked about not having to see his ugly mug anymore

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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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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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2
as in to photograph
to take a photograph of mugging captured criminals for the police records

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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
As recently as May, Tesla’s X account posted an ad showing drivers with their hands off the wheel, goofing off while waving their fingers in the air or sipping a hot coffee from a ceramic mug with two hands. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026 The young woman gathered some of her things, leaving behind a hair clip, a ceramic mug, a piece of clothing, and invitations for an Easter worship service. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Pieces include T-shirts, hats, mugs, water bottles and snow globes, as well as books. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 22 June 2026 Simply add about one to two tablespoons of baking soda to your mug, and fill the mug with enough water to form a thick paste, nothing runny. Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mug
Noun
  • Enjoy a second cup of your morning brew and count your blessings.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
  • Take all the fuss out of making your morning cup of coffee with this convenient pod coffee maker.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • The actions of these thugs, who should be imprisoned for a long while, is the cause of denying real Knicks fans the chance to watch the game communally.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
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
Noun
  • Her boyfriend tried to get her out of the alligator’s mouth, officials said.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Four meals a day, and 61 mouths to feed.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 29 June 2026
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
Noun
  • But Kiyoko is a sucker for a happy ending, and things tie up neater than the rest of the film might otherwise suggest.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Removing the suckers encourages better air circulation and focuses the plant’s energy on producing fruit, says Singh.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 22 June 2026
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Mug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mug. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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