as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
a cranky bugger who's always at odds with his neighbors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 bugger
Fortunately, there are tons of products available to help prevent mosquito bites and drive the little buggers away from you in the first place.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 June 2025
At least one week before your trip, inspect the leaves and branches for pests and eradicate any buggers.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
In the Eighties and Nineties, student groups tended to be formed along private school/state school lines, among rugger buggers and debaters, actors and engineers.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 31 Dec. 2024
Treatment tends to be a journey for folks diagnosed with SIBO—which might come as a surprise for a condition that hinges on extra bacterial buggers.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2024
Advertisement As far as the feds were concerned, that meant dropping pesticide on the little buggers from the air — the same advice Brown was getting from his state ag officials.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Microbes are clever little buggers —- for decades, they've been used by the mining industry to efficiently extract some 25 percent of the world’s gold and copper in a more environmentally friendly manner.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024
After escaping their own airborne prison, the little buggers begin to wreak havoc in the skies, causing another plane to collide with Athena’s.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 26 Sep. 2024
Streamers like wooly buggers and large wet flies can be swung and stripped through likely areas to elicit a strike.
—Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 12 June 2024
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 June 2025
At least one week before your trip, inspect the leaves and branches for pests and eradicate any buggers.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
In the Eighties and Nineties, student groups tended to be formed along private school/state school lines, among rugger buggers and debaters, actors and engineers.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 31 Dec. 2024
Treatment tends to be a journey for folks diagnosed with SIBO—which might come as a surprise for a condition that hinges on extra bacterial buggers.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2024
Advertisement As far as the feds were concerned, that meant dropping pesticide on the little buggers from the air — the same advice Brown was getting from his state ag officials.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Microbes are clever little buggers —- for decades, they've been used by the mining industry to efficiently extract some 25 percent of the world’s gold and copper in a more environmentally friendly manner.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024
After escaping their own airborne prison, the little buggers begin to wreak havoc in the skies, causing another plane to collide with Athena’s.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 26 Sep. 2024
Streamers like wooly buggers and large wet flies can be swung and stripped through likely areas to elicit a strike.
—Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 12 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugger
Noun
-
Cianfrance supplies a real jerk of a manager in Peter Dinklage’s Mitch, on whom Jeffrey spies by setting up baby monitors in the back office.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Imagine smoky jerk chicken cooked to perfection on an open-flame at a roadside shack, beckoning you to stop by for a mouthwatering bite.—
Martie Bowser,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Robotic dogs and militant imagery stand in for violence and human invention turned destructive.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In Toledo, a misread contributed to a Black man being mauled by a police K-9 dog after a traffic stop.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Nothing sends chills down your spine like evil clowns, undead monsters and a filthy car.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Someone should be impeaching this Laporta clown.—
Pol Ballus,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These jokers in Indianapolis acting the fool.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The guest’s winning cards were a 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and a joker acting as a 6, all in clubs, according to the casino.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Around 75% of Americans are exposed to raccoons, skunks and foxes — the very wildlife that commonly spread the fatal disease to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bugger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugger. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share