as in foxes
the pelt or fur of a badger
The boutique features a variety of scarfs, including badger, fox, and ermine.
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as in teases
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders
He's always badgering me about the dishes.
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Recent Examples of badgers
John Wawrow, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Faced with an impossible choice, Emmy unites rabbits, foxes and badgers, proving that the true magic of Easter is courage, unity and sharing its light with all.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Sargent Ranch is home to badgers, deer, hawks and other animals, serving as a key wildlife corridor between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo and Gabilan mountain ranges.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
This American groundhog tradition apparently started with German immigrants recalling the spring emergence of badgers and hedgehogs in the old country.
—Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The species is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels and badgers, and is known for its ferocity and elusive nature.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
In Europe, where winters are milder than in the Midwest, farmers watch hedgehogs (a smaller underground cousin) or badgers (larger, more aggressive cousins to groundhogs) come out of hibernation in early February.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
In a Facebook post on Monday, the Ohio Division of Wildlife said there have been two recent sightings of American badgers on its trail cameras in Ashland and Sandusky counties.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Parents with Gen Alpha kids may not be surprised since this age group is known to be curious, strong-willed (they have been compared to honey badgers for a reason), and tech-savvy.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
Lundberg’s confidence reflects that of his players, who’ve been instilled with the vision of being honey badgers.
—John Wawrow, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Faced with an impossible choice, Emmy unites rabbits, foxes and badgers, proving that the true magic of Easter is courage, unity and sharing its light with all.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Sargent Ranch is home to badgers, deer, hawks and other animals, serving as a key wildlife corridor between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo and Gabilan mountain ranges.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
This American groundhog tradition apparently started with German immigrants recalling the spring emergence of badgers and hedgehogs in the old country.
—Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The species is the largest member of the mustelid family, which includes otters, weasels and badgers, and is known for its ferocity and elusive nature.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
In Europe, where winters are milder than in the Midwest, farmers watch hedgehogs (a smaller underground cousin) or badgers (larger, more aggressive cousins to groundhogs) come out of hibernation in early February.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
In a Facebook post on Monday, the Ohio Division of Wildlife said there have been two recent sightings of American badgers on its trail cameras in Ashland and Sandusky counties.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Parents with Gen Alpha kids may not be surprised since this age group is known to be curious, strong-willed (they have been compared to honey badgers for a reason), and tech-savvy.
—Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for badgers
Noun
-
Watch for wildlife, too—though many animals hibernate, foxes and bobcats remain active all winter.—
Skye Sherman,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
-
What's more, the European Commission is planning to announce a decision on banning the holding and killing of mink, foxes, raccoon, dogs and chinchilla, and marketing of fur products from those animals, according to its website.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While on set in London, Sawai teases it’s been fun to hear the cast — Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr — play the iconic band’s music.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
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But beyond Murphy and Graham, the trailer only teases Sophie Rundle as Tommy’s long-suffering sister, Ada, but no other regulars.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Chinese Zodiac operates on a cycle, rotating through 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig) that were said to have competed in a legendary race, while also incorporating 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) for a 60-year sequence.—
Kyle Lucia Wu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
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His friend and designer Ruby Western created the logo with a rabbit.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Grabber hounds Finn through an old phone booth and torments Gwen through her dreams.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Vavassori hounds the net with his teradactyl-like wingspan.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Although the animals were selected for their complementary qualities in relation to Elordi’s voice, the range of species utilized was broad enough to include everything from raccoons to a rhinoceros.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Feb. 2026
-
What's more, the European Commission is planning to announce a decision on banning the holding and killing of mink, foxes, raccoon, dogs and chinchilla, and marketing of fur products from those animals, according to its website.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Wolverines are beagle-sized carnivores related to weasels, ermines, badgers, martens, otters, and black footed ferrets, all of which are native to this state.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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The coastal marten, also known as the Humboldt marten, is about the size of a ferret and lives in coastal forests.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The damned disease especially plagues Mexican American men like me, and many aren’t getting screened.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Similarly, programs that encourage regular movement and mental breaks help mitigate the burnout that often plagues high-growth teams.—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Park staff are checking camera traps, wading out into the park's swampy wilderness and encouraging visitors to share any otter sightings.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
11 Feb. 2026
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The little animals that will come to be emblematic of the 2026 Games are stoats, extremely cute critters that in real life are related to the weasel and the otter.—
Mark Scaglione,
NBC news,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Badgers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badgers. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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