as in dread
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
doing one's tax returns is a real bugaboo for a lot of people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bugaboo
One of the chief bugaboos for fossil fuel interests is a movement among the states to create Superfund-like programs that would require polluters to pay for damages caused by climate change disasters.
—
Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The good news: Shelter prices, last year’s bugaboo, appear to be heading down, economists note.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Another looming bugaboo: Father Time, which Rocky says is undefeated.
—Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Two of the three losses came by submission, which has been her bugaboo throughout her professional career.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bugaboo
Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The good news: Shelter prices, last year’s bugaboo, appear to be heading down, economists note.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Another looming bugaboo: Father Time, which Rocky says is undefeated.
—Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Two of the three losses came by submission, which has been her bugaboo throughout her professional career.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bugaboo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugaboo
Noun
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The fear is more like a soft surge of dread, as if my synapses had been been rewired to the thrusting strings of John Williams' famous theme.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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Feelings on the ground range from dread to determination.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Defense spending has been a thorny subject for NATO members for years, and a persistent bugbear for Trump.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
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Under his leadership, Michigan had a robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program — a bugbear for Republicans — until announcing in March that it would be dismantled.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are concerned about the potential for copycat attacks from the New Orleans terror attack on New Year's Day, as well as homegrown extremists.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
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Prosecutors are adding new first-degree murder charges to those already faced by terror suspect, who remains jailed.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Ticket Information The crypt beneath the historic St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street contains Roman pavements, medieval foundations, and even plague burial sites.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Health and safety issues plague hotels used as emergency shelters across the state.—
Spencer Norris,
ProPublica,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Morikawa carded an eagle, four birdies and three bogeys on Thursday for a 3-under 69.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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Even when Lee had three bogeys over four holes in the front nine, none of her closest rivals could take advantage of that slip-up; Lee’s playing partner on Sunday, world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, finished 1-over for the day and tied for fourth.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bugaboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugaboo. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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