MUGGING Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

mugging 1 of 2

noun

as in burglary

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mugging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of mug

as in grimacing

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

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

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 It’s been a strenuous 18-year fall from grace since Susan Sarandon handed the magnificent disaster his Golden Globe, his longtime buddy Bruce Springsteen mugging with glee as a standing ovation crowd cheered him on. — Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026 When humpbacks draw near to the boat to investigate the vessel with curiosity, this is called mugging, according to the owner of Gone Whale Watching San Diego. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mugging

Noun

He was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole and an additional 10 years for burglary.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026
Washington Township Police said an arrest warrant has been issued for 31-year-old Rafael Gordian, of Philadelphia, in connection with the burglary at Frank's, but officers are still looking for him.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of burglary

Verb

On Monday’s episode of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, a grimacing Stewart was flabbergasted at why, exactly, the president elbowed his way into a spotlight clearly not intended for him.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 July 2026
Seigler remained down for several minutes, bleeding from one arm and grimacing in pain as interim manager Chad Tracy and trainers rushed out to check him for a head injury.

— Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026

Definition of grimacing

Verb

Despite driving roughly 25,000 miles, Silbiger is hungry to get back on the asphalt to continue photographing.

— Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
The law, backed by Garner and Halle Berry, increased penalties for aggressively harassing or photographing minors because of their parents' occupations and allows parents to pursue civil damages against violators.

— Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Definition of photographing

Verb

The Warriors have to face the reality that has been staring at them ever since Jimmy Butler tore the ACL in his right knee in January.

— Nick Friedell, New York Times, 24 July 2026
How adult tummy time affects your posture Lying face down puts your spine in the opposite position from the flexed posture that comes with staring at a phone.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of staring

Noun

Police are investigating an armed holdup that occurred at a west Fort Worth title loan business Wednesday morning.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
And, as with most engines, a timely tuneup helps ensure smooth and predictable functioning, avoiding hiccups or holdups.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

Definition of holdup

Browse Nearby Words

mugginess

mugging

muggings

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Style

“Mugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mugging. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mugging

noun

verb

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