mugger

¹ American  

[muhg-er] / ˈmʌg ər /

noun

1. a person who mugs, especially one who assaults a person in order to rob them.

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mugger ² American  

[muhg-er] / ˈmʌg ər /

Or muggar,

noun

1. a broad-snouted crocodile, Crocodylus palustris, of southern Asia, that grows to a length of about 16 feet (4.88 meters).

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mugger ¹ British  

/ ˈmʌɡə /

noun

1. informal a person who commits robbery with violence, esp in the street

2. a person who overacts

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mugger ² British  

/ ˈmʌɡə /

noun

1. Also called: marsh crocodile.  a large freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus, inhabiting marshes and pools of India and Ceylon

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Etymology

Origin of mugger¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; mug + -er ¹

Origin of mugger²

First recorded in 1835–45, mugger is from the Hindi word magar

Example Sentences

First, he maneuvered his food truck to cut off the mugger; then he jumped out to confront the man.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2024

“The figure of Black criminality is no longer limited to the mugger or the rioter or the gang member,” said Insa Koch, an anthropologist and lawyer who studies the legislation’s application in Britain.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2022

After gaining his spider powers, Peter Parker chooses not to stop a mugger who, moments later murders his uncle.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2019

When he rushes to the aid of what he thinks is a damsel in distress, he finds a mugger uttering high-pitched screams, the woman who’s just pepper-sprayed him standing calmly at his side.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2019

“He can call in the police, the army and the secret service. If he says ‘boo,’ a mugger at the other end of the city drops a wallet.”

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• assailant
• thief
• thug