mugging

[ muhg-ing ]
See synonyms for: muggingmuggings on Thesaurus.com

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

Origin of mugging

1
First recorded in 1840–50; mug + -ing1

Words Nearby mugging

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use mugging in a sentence

  • They are almost always closer to mugging and burlesque than to acting.

    Cindy Sherman, Actor and Clown | Blake Gopnik | February 23, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Her gang will be below playing cards or mugging-up or snoozing, and only two on deck seeing her home!

    The Viking Blood | Frederick William Wallace
  • They were chortling, pointing at each other, mugging for the camera.

    Makers | Cory Doctorow
  • I do know a certain amount about harmony already; I have been mugging it up for the last three years.

    Michael | E. F. Benson
  • The shotgun squad keeps the riots, the mugging, and all the humbug out.

    Warren Commission (11 of 26): Hearings Vol. XI (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
  • Everyone admired Hill in a way, though the suspicion of “mugging” clung to him.