1
as in dread
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
communism was once the nation's biggest bugbear
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
hated all the bugbears of modern life, especially those long commutes to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bugbear
European leaders this week also discussed the thorny issue of future funding for the country, which is a bugbear for Trump.
—
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Duffy’s bugbears include the aforementioned fisticuffs, a lack of pleases and thank yous for staff, and the reluctance of current passengers to help the aged, the infirm, and the pregnant.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Low volumes of trading has been a common bugbear for foreign investors looking at investing in Tadawul.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Another bugbear: Bigger U.S. distributors now rarely pre-buy movies, taking them out of the film financing equation.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bugbear
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Duffy’s bugbears include the aforementioned fisticuffs, a lack of pleases and thank yous for staff, and the reluctance of current passengers to help the aged, the infirm, and the pregnant.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Low volumes of trading has been a common bugbear for foreign investors looking at investing in Tadawul.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Another bugbear: Bigger U.S. distributors now rarely pre-buy movies, taking them out of the film financing equation.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bugbear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbear
Noun
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This collection hums with multiracial dread, and explores the nuances of family making outside hegemony.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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One gets the sense, reading DuBois, that Stanton’s fervor for political action stemmed from a dread of being governed by idiots.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One month into the partial government shutdown, hundreds of Transportation Security Administration workers going without full pay have quit, while others have taken unscheduled time off, prompting more travel headaches as a winter storm slams the Midwest and spring break travelers try to fly.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
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Sweating due to high heat can lead to dehydration, causing dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and other symptoms.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But defense remains a big bugaboo, especially around the rim.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Quite simply, Texas got bit by the same bugaboo that has haunted it this entire season.—
Kirk Bohls,
Houston Chronicle,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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No anti-Iran narrative Iran has been a thorn in the side of many American presidents for a long time.—
Charles Walldorf,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Its canes are reddish in color and covered with spiny thorns.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Her taste for wicked, wildly inventive terror continues to make the increasingly beloved festival’s bite-sized offerings one of its most reliable highlights.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
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Kayumi meanwhile allegedly told investigators he was affiliated with ISIS and watched the terror group’s propaganda on his phone.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Like the dead leaves piling up on the driveway, Darryl is often unlikeable, or seen as simply a nuisance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The lawsuit accused Sacramento of creating a public nuisance and violating a Fish and Game Code section prohibiting polluting California’s waters.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And yet, despite that, there had been the weight gain, just enough for the zipper on the Balenciaga to become her sworn enemy.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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Locust's radars can find enemy drones up to 7 miles away, according to John Garrity, who is in charge of the program at AeroVironment.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a crisp new poster on the easel at the Werth practice facility that displayed the Big East Tournament trophy, not yet mauled in frustration and held together by tape like the regular-season version had been.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
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The cost of parking, and parking tickets, has long been a frustration for state workers who commute to downtown Sacramento.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugbear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbear. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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