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?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bug
Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Other attractions at the event will be a speakeasy on the porch where bartenders will serve drinks, a VW bus from the 1970s and a VW bug in the side yard where people exit, and a tent holding a 1970s disco with a DJ.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
The cost of it, however, is boots and bug repellent.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bug
Noun
Nonetheless, Munden added his own visual flair, with color saturation, distorted close-ups to show the characters’ disorientation, and mesmerizing shots of nature writ large (raging fires, roiling ocean waves, torrential storms) and small (ants devouring a bug).
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Other attractions at the event will be a speakeasy on the porch where bartenders will serve drinks, a VW bus from the 1970s and a VW bug in the side yard where people exit, and a tent holding a 1970s disco with a DJ.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Verb
Chandler Zavala has been fighting the injury bug his whole career.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
The cost of it, however, is boots and bug repellent.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug
Noun
-
The flies are blood-suckers, like mosquitos, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Eva Flowe
May 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
-
Brunson is a sucker for learning, a sucker for details.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Hantavirus disease is considered rare, with 890 cases reported in the United States between 1993 and 2023.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
In 2024, for example, more than 700 newborns died from spontaneous bleeding in their brains, which could have been complicated by liver disease or prematurity.—
Lee Hutchinson,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
To Henry, this would have been for the greater good of English football, but the reaction was again one of anger and Henry was annoyed that the idea was killed off.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The non-meat use of the term came from the online chat room community, which by the late 1980s was already using it to denote a mass influx of data into their chat rooms that could trigger a computer crash and/or annoy chat room users.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There were other stories that bothered him more, like a post by a writer who recounted a chaste one-night stand with Tea Party activist and Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell that described her pubic hair.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
However, in the wild, the algae are the ocean’s introverts, and only glow when they are bothered, like jolted by a crashing wave or the hull of a passing boat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
History buffs, avid hikers, music lovers, wine aficionados, and beach bums will all find a town to love in the Old Dominion.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
-
In addition to being sun lovers, many of the species on this list are heat- and drought-tolerant.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Manager Tony Vitello shared that Webb was dealing with knee discomfort, but Webb didn’t use an ailment as an excuse for his performance.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
-
The Hornets were down to seven healthy players for the final stretch of games, including Williams with an assortment of ailments.—
Joe Davidson
May 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
My mother-in-law uses the Boacay Soft and Warm Travel Blanket because the ultra-soft, micro-plush fabric keeps her warm in chilly airplane cabins without irritating her skin.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
Hydrogen sulfide, a gas commonly associated with sewage, can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and in higher concentrations may cause more serious health effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
One perhaps shouldn’t worry too much about AI being prompted to resurrect a talk-show host, what with the whole format dying anyway.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
-
Equally important, a chatbot does not worry about your wellbeing the way a doctor might—which is important, since the best healers combine technical skills with moral judgment and empathy.—
Sudheesha Perera,
Time,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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