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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bug
Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The moment stretches into a kind of eternity, marked by tactile details: searching for a seatbelt, wanting to console this crying woman, identifying with a bug trapped against the window.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Carol Meeting Manousos Doesn’t Go As Planned The meeting between the two immediately sparks conflict, with Manousos unwilling to step into Carol’s home or use the translate feature on her phone, suspicious that everything has been bugged.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug
Noun
Hope everyone made it through the weekend snug as a bug in a rug.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The moment stretches into a kind of eternity, marked by tactile details: searching for a seatbelt, wanting to console this crying woman, identifying with a bug trapped against the window.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
The comings and goings of the many planes at the little field bugged the Marine Corps brass and rattled the hens at the chicken ranch that was once right about where Cold War-era bowlers would one day rattle the pins at Frontier Lanes.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Carol Meeting Manousos Doesn’t Go As Planned The meeting between the two immediately sparks conflict, with Manousos unwilling to step into Carol’s home or use the translate feature on her phone, suspicious that everything has been bugged.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug
Noun
-
For a coach who thinks running the ball is for squares and suckers, that’s not exactly adapting one’s philosophy to fit your personnel.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The multi-hyphenate is a sucker for chunky frames, and the Center Stage style from Peepers fits the bill.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In those participants, the disease was not associated with any changes in brain size or evidence of damage.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Horton took the time to promote a charity seeking to raise funds for the organization Pancreatic Cancer UK, while also sharing a sweet tribute to the late Harry Potter star, who died from the disease in 2016 at age 69.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In particular, you might be concerned or annoyed about financial issues with a friend or a group.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Here are two habits that often annoy people the most, and reliably signal that a partner is deeply invested in you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Zamiri doesn’t really bother filming fans rushing Charli’s car or whatever—this has been the quintessential mock-pop-doc scene since A Hard Day’s Night but these days the fans rush you online.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Aquarius' biggest struggle in 2026 Don’t bother trying to control the outcome.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Colorado Parks and Wildlife employees are in the crosshairs, caught between mountain lion lovers on the left and anti-wolf advocates on the right.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
For the Reese’s lovers among us, John Kelly’s chocolates provide an upscale take on the candy classic.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To Camarda, the heat shield problem is one symptom of a widespread ailment plaguing NASA that took root in the shuttle era.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Not all ailments are alike, naturally.—
Jamie Holmes,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
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
-
Alinejad views her mission as exposing the situation in Iran and giving voice to victims, but worries the attempts on her life will create a fear of inviting her to speak.—
Katrina Kaufman,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Lindsay Koshgarian, the program director of the National Priorities Project who has been tracking deployment costs, worries that at some point, these expenses will affect funding for other important military priorities.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
