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
Relevance
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
There is a financial crisis brewing in China, but the usual bugbears of the stock market, declining exports, and even the yuan crash are only appetizers, not the main course.
—Salvatore Babones, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2015
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
There is a financial crisis brewing in China, but the usual bugbears of the stock market, declining exports, and even the yuan crash are only appetizers, not the main course.
—Salvatore Babones, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2015
See All Example Sentences for bugbear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbear
Noun
-
Tidy your payment app to see numbers without dread and choose calm reactions.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The public discussion still swings between utopian promise and apocalyptic dread.—
Barry R. Davis,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But after developing a headache that lasted for several months, a friend convinced her to visit the emergency room.—
Brad Quick,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This can create headaches for physicians and other providers.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Five batters into Sunday’s game and the home run bugaboo that plagued Imanaga last season delivered a sense of déjà vu to the 33,559 fans in attendance at Wrigley Field.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But defense remains a big bugaboo, especially around the rim.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The veteran forward has long been a thorn in their side, and has a long history of trying to injure Warriors, and succeeding at it.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Historically, West Palm Beach’s Keiser University has been a thorn in STU’s side as the Seahawks are 8-0 all-time against the Bobcats.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But in 2022, the Guidestones became a flashpoint that resulted in a real-world act of domestic terror – a mystery that to this day, has never been solved.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
On Sunday morning, the usual crowds filled the streets as bars and nightclubs were closing in Sacramento when the sound of rapid-fire gunshots sent people running in terror.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If data centers eventually are included, for example, neighbors could take a hit due to impacts on electricity costs, water access, industrial noise and other nuisances that can come into play when a megaproject moves in next door.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Not all ants are bad for the garden—some help with soil health and pest control—but fire ants and carpenter ants can be serious nuisances or hazards.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, unlike the first movie, the upcoming film will revolve around arch enemies Kent and Luthor working together to defeat an even more dangerous villain, Brainiac, who will be played by newcomer Lars Eidinger.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
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Throughout Orbán’s re-election campaign, the media controlled by his governing Fidesz party depicted Magyar as a reckless enemy of peace, bent on dragging Hungary into the war in neighboring Ukraine.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Precision now saves you from rework and frustration later.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Towns raised his hands — calling for the ball — then dropped them in frustration.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugbear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbear. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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