BUGBEARS Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

bugbears

noun

plural of bugbear

as in dreads

something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason communism was once the nation's biggest bugbear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in headaches

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bugbears This has been one of its main bugbears for years, with several engine types experimented with. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026 The bugbears of this season — wasting promising chances (though Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce deserves credit for many of those) and some vulnerability to counter-attacks — remained. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbears

Noun

He's described by officials as a Black male in his late teens with a medium-large build and thick dreads.

— Nick Lentz, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Mirror images except for the fact that Jelani has his hair in dreads, while Ari goes with the more retro-look afro.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026

Definition of dreads

Noun

According to a GoFundMe set up to fund her ongoing treatment, severe headaches and blurred vision were among the initial symptoms Katie experienced before her cancer diagnosis.

— Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Aviation pro Andres Celis says large roller bags that don’t fit properly in overhead bins can create unnecessary headaches during boarding as crew members try to find a place for them.

— Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of headaches

Noun

The woods could be hiding places of witches and sorcerers, disguised as the old and feeble, but capable of summoning wonder and terrors, charms as well as curses.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
Which iconic horrors will return to haunt the hallowed halls of 13 and what new terrors await?

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026

Definition of terrors

Noun

Rather than treating Debra’s frustrations as something distant from her own life, Heaton drew from the reality of raising her own kids while working on the series.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
But others argue those rookie mistakes and earlier comments − including calls to abolish the police − were eclipsed by Hong's grassroots support and growing frustrations with the party establishment.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustrations

Noun

Best Supporting Actress One of Hickey’s bugaboos is the way the supporting races have often been gift-wrapped early, with co-leads like Emilia Pérez’s Zoe Saldaña and A Real Pain’s Kieran Culkin sweeping to victory.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Now, for one of their chief bugaboos — a primary culprit for the mediocre record through 32 games.

— Joe Vardon, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025

Definition of bugaboos

Noun

Others argued that the report seems to cast members of the media as nuisances to be dealt with, while ignoring instances in which journalists were targeted by law enforcement.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
The Kansas City City Council approved a trio of ordinances on Thursday aimed at vacant properties that become nuisances and staving off demolition of historic buildings.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of nuisances

Noun

Their kickers’ health and performance for years have been one of the thorns in the team’s side.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
In many species, the pronotum extends over the body to form elaborate shapes that resemble thorns, buds, or other plant structures, providing excellent camouflage.

— Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of thorns

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bugbear

bugbears

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Style

“Bugbears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbears. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bugbears

noun

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