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

And with peak travel season underway, millions of people may have to contend with this disorienting condition, which can cause sleep disturbances, daytime tiredness, headaches and nasty gastrointestinal symptoms.

— Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
If this is the case for your child, there aren’t only headaches in your future.

— Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 25 July 2026

Definition of headaches

Noun

While the frustrations of Ellison; his father, Larry Ellison, the Oracle billionaire and deal backer; and others in the Paramount camp have taken center stage in recent days, WBD also faces a difficult path.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Whether that happens before the season begins remains to be seen, but James’ decision to sign elsewhere was like tearing a Band-Aid off a fanbase’s long-simmering frustrations about a lackluster offseason.

— Nick Friedell, New York Times, 24 July 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

City outlines Robandee nuisances The Robandee was once a neighborhood hub but has since fallen into disrepair and has experienced fires.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
These seemingly minor nuisances are becoming a drain on municipal resources and complicating the rollout of robotaxi service.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Definition of nuisances

Browse Nearby Words

bugbear

bugbears

bugeye

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Style

“Bugbears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbears. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bugbears

noun

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