Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

mugging

[muhg-ing] / ˈmʌg ɪŋ /
NOUN
assault and battery
Synonyms
WEAK
simple assault
NOUN
attack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggression barrage charge incursion intervention intrusion invasion offensive onslaught outbreak raid rape skirmish strike violation
STRONG
advance assailing blitz blitzkrieg defilement drive encounter encroachment foray initiative inroad irruption offense onrush onset push rush storming thrust volley
WEAK
assailment dirty deed
Antonyms
STRONGEST
retreat
STRONG
pull
WEAK
aid defense flight health protection reprisal resistance shelter shield submission support surrender sustenance
NOUN
battery
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assault
STRONG
attack beating mayhem onslaught thumping violence
Antonyms
STRONG
defense peace
WEAK
individual
NOUN
charge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assault
STRONG
blitz blitzkrieg invasion onset onslaught outbreak push rush sortie
Antonyms
WEAK
retreat
NOUN
holdup
Synonyms
STRONGEST
burglary robbery theft
STRONG
crime stickup
Antonyms
WEAK
aid assistance help
NOUN
offense
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assault attack injury
STRONG
affront aggression battery blitz blitzkrieg dig harm hit hurt indignation indignity injustice onset onslaught outrage push put-down slam slight snub zinger
WEAK
assailment black eye dirty dig left-handed compliment slap in the face
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid health
STRONG
compliment flattery glee happiness joy praise respect
WEAK
kindness obedience pleasure
NOUN
robbery
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break in burglary embezzlement felony heist holdup larceny looting theft wrongdoing
STRONG
caper hit job stickup thievery
WEAK
mortal sin purse-snatching unlawful act
Antonyms
STRONGEST
return
NOUN
ruffled feathers
Synonyms
WEAK
affront aggression assailment assault attack battery black eye blitz blitzkrieg dig dirty dig dudgeon harm hit huff hurt indignation indignity injury injustice left-handed compliment miff onset onslaught outrage pique push put-down resentment slam slap in the face slight snub umbrage zinger
NOUN
stickup
Synonyms
STRONG
burglary crime robbery stealing theft
WEAK
armed robbery
NOUN
theft
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break in burglary crime embezzlement extortion fraud heist holdup larceny looting piracy robbery shoplifting thievery vandalism
STRONG
annexation appropriation caper cheating deprivation grab hustle job lift peculation pilferage pillage pinch plunder racket rapacity ripoff score snatch snitch steal stickup swindle thieving touch
WEAK
defrauding pilfering purloining robbing swindling swiping
Antonyms
STRONG
bestowal gift giving offering
WEAK
return

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They teased the grand reopening with Instagram photos of Bella Hadid astride a horse and videos of influencer types mugging for the camera in 10-gallon hats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

“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.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2025

The UK government’s foreign travel advice says crime levels are relatively low in Rwanda, but there are cases of burglary, theft, bag-snatching and mugging in Kigali.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2024

His rants are hilarious, and Ruffalo’s mugging is a comic highlight.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2024

Dill took one hand off the handlebars and flexed his arm, mugging.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner