1
as in sucker
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
a camera bug who loves taking candid shots at fairs and festivals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
I can't go to work today because I've caught some bug that's going around
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
these incessant phone calls are really starting to bug me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bother
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
I hate to bug you, but could you help me move this table?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bug
Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 16 June 2026
The report, Moussouris said, involved IT experts asking Fable to help find and patch bugs.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.
—Sarah Linn
april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bug
Noun
Sun Belt cities, in particular, caught the construction bug.
—Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 16 June 2026
The report, Moussouris said, involved IT experts asking Fable to help find and patch bugs.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Verb
When Riley returned to the table, La La told me that his high profile in the city sometimes bugged her, because fans were always interrupting them, even sitting down at their table.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.
—Sarah Linn
april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug
Noun
-
Good choices include live sunfish, suckers, bullheads, carp, goldfish, and chubs.—
Keith Sutton,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
-
Southerners are suckers for cities on the water, and the charming community of Stuart, Florida, is abundantly blessed on that front.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
An investigation revealed that the horse was suffering from multiple diseases and was a decade older than his driver had initially reported, according to the organization.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Those who have been vaccinated or previously had measles are likely protected against the disease.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Damian used to get annoyed with his father's motivational chats about responsibility.—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Three hours before the parade is set to begin, paradegoers are already annoyed at the disorganization and slow-moving lines.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Oh, and more often than not, nobody bothers to check whether the change intervention actually worked, or whether leaders improve their performance after all!—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.—
Tyler Quattrin,
Twin Cities,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Itineraries guide food-lovers to Breyðvirkið, the Faroe Islands’ sole artisanal sourdough bakery, renowned for its exceptional coffee and its ‘BMO’ (bolle med ost), a classic Scandinavian breakfast of a fresh sourdough bun with butter and cheese.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
These thin sheets of lead containing scratches of supernatural desires were used to sway a court case, target a rival, or even a lover, as per Archaeology News.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Worth noting Right-hander Tyler Mahle is scheduled to return from his left hamstring ailment and start on Wednesday against the Athletics, per Vitello.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
-
Interest in kratom surged in the last couple of years as users have reported consuming the compound in the form of a pill, powder or tea to treat various ailments.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Residents were advised that while smoke may be irritating—particularly for those sensitive to air quality—there is currently no order for evacuation or shelter-in-place, despite a similar order already having been issued and lifted twice since the fire's ignition.—
Iris Salem,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Ammonia is a common industrial chemical that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system when present in elevated concentrations.—
Sydney Barragan,
Daily News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Looking to be quite aggressive in a football sense and always looking for the solution and what can happen instead of worrying about what the problem is.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Many have worried that the trend toward more historic, modern, and established art is leaving contemporary artists in the dust, but by the sounds of it yesterday, dealers confirmed strong interest in the latter category, with broader sales made across their program.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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