mugging

[muhg-ing]

noun

1. an assault or threat of violence upon a person, especially with intent to rob.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mugging¹

First recorded in 1840–50; mug + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He started mugging people by the age of 15.

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Embarrassed at living in chronic poverty — his school lunches often were mayonnaise sandwiches — he set out to remedy the situation, shoplifting, intimidating students for their lunch money, mugging people in the street.

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“It is funny that the heaviest of all awards is given by actors — ’us what we do, it means so much,’” he said, mugging ponderous emotion.

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There’s a little too much mugging, italicizing and elbow-nudging, as if we might not be able to enjoy Sondheim’s unsparing wit on our own.

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She said she had reported a mugging to the police and that a work mobile phone was one of the items that had been stolen.

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Related Words

• aggression 
• barrage 
• charge 
• incursion 
• intervention 
• intrusion 
• invasion 
• offensive 
• onslaught 
• outbreak 
• raid 
• rape 
• skirmish 
• strike 
• violation