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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bug
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Steam clean or sanitize upholstery regularly to remove dust mites, bugs, and other bacteria.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Banks has bugged Kerkering to clean his locker, to no avail.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug
Noun
Her character, Agnes, is introduced to these ideas after connecting with Peter, a Gulf War veteran who fixates on a bug problem in her hotel room as part of a larger theory about surveillance.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Steam clean or sanitize upholstery regularly to remove dust mites, bugs, and other bacteria.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Banks has bugged Kerkering to clean his locker, to no avail.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug
Noun
-
As the humpback plunges back below the surface the remoras, also known as sucker fish, return to the whale, sticking their landings with the timing and precision of Olympic gymnasts.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Remove any canes that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as well as any suckers that have formed.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Plant diseases and pests can be spread by reusing dirty flower pots.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In 2024, Patrick's widow Lisa Niemi Swayze teamed up with leading non profit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to help raise awareness of the disease and increase funding for research.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The clanging of dirty dishes being gathered in the back kitchen does not bother her.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Instagram and TikTok are littered with stories of women and their unsupportive husbands, men who can't remember their own children's birthdays or be bothered to take a weekend off from their golf hobby to spend time with their families.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For the third year, restaurants in Hayward are enticing food lovers with the opportunity to save money while discovering new places and revisiting old favorites.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Leigh Lucas’ book of poetry reckons with the death of a lover.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Christian Braun added 31 points, Aaron Gordon scored 20, and Jamal Murray — playing through a calf ailment — finished with 15 points and seven assists.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Chronic inflammation is a low-level, persistent activation of the immune system that can damage the body over time and is linked to ailments such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and autoimmune conditions.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
These changes to the fabric’s texture can also irritate delicate skin.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
To ensure the materials were safe for biological use, the friction layers was tested on a rabbit’s eye, where the device maintained its charge without irritating.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Punk music and its spirit clearly worried the Soviet rulers.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
-
For voters worried about health-insurance coverage or the future of research in the United States, scientists, health-care workers, and public-health experts may have particular appeal right now, Shields told me.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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