debug

verb

de·​bug (ˌ)dē-ˈbəg 

debugged; debugging; debugs

transitive verb

1

: to remove insects from

2

: to eliminate errors in or malfunctions of

debug a computer program

3

: to remove a concealed microphone or wiretapping device from

debugger noun

Synonyms of debug

• amend
• correct
• rewrite
• remedy
• reform

Examples of debug in a Sentence

She's been hired to write and debug computer programs.

the computer program ran much faster after it was debugged

Recent Examples on the Web

The device also features a small joystick, likely the 13th key, that can trigger reusable Codex Skills and common workflows such as debugging an error, reviewing a pull request, or refactoring code. — New Atlas, 25 July 2026

Live Share handles real-time collaboration, letting teammates edit and debug together without cloning repos or matching local environments first. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026

When the telephony and cognitive integration layers are designed to work together through a clean connective layer, the handoffs between domains stop being yours to debug. — Ran Inbar, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Systems can be debugged, patched, reconfigured, and tuned relatively easily. — Amit Chaturvedy, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for debug

• humbug
• prodrug
• unplug
• antidrug
• mealybug
• multidrug
• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug

Kids Definition

debug

verb

de·​bug (ˈ)dē-ˈbəg 

: to remove mistakes from

debug a computer program