as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
this perpetual bugging while I'm working is driving me nuts!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in bothering
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
these incessant phone calls are really starting to bug me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worrying
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
I hate to bug you, but could you help me move this table?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bugging
Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Dec. 2025
Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Dec. 2025
Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging
Noun
-
The measures follow years of accusations by Palestinians that actions by settlers and the military — campaigns of violence, harassment and demolitions — have pushed them from their land.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Stop this unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community here in Antwerp and in Belgium.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead of worrying about ratings, the new late-night creators are directly beholden to their viewers.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But Joe Garcia, a Democratic former congressman from Miami, said that stance could backfire as Cuban Americans begin worrying about their relatives on the island.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Police responded to a disturbance in the 900 Block of Chateau Park Drive, the police department said in a statement.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
During the investigation, the deputies learned that a group of people was driving to the coast when a disturbance occurred inside the vehicle.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes, rage bait can be relatively harmless – a recipe that contains disgusting food combinations or someone annoying their pet, partner or sibling.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
-
But what’s been annoying me even more is that these women should have been trained by producers to start recording on their own cell phones if drama starts to unfold after cameras go down.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The gentle formula removes dirt and product buildup with a mild lather without irritating the scalp.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
-
A lot of anti-aging skincare contains ingredients like retinol that can be drying and irritating, but Cetaphil has a possible solution.—
Lauren Taylor,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But so often left unsaid by Gu are the moral ambiguities that come with choosing to represent a country that has been heavily criticized by Human Rights Watch, among other watchdog groups, for denying rights of freedom of expression and for persecuting government critics.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Troops are occupying our cities and persecuting our people.—
Maria Guinnip,
Oklahoman,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For example, when Ilana is undressing, the camera is fixed on Dana being mindful to give her privacy even in their close proximity — an out of focus glimpse of Ilana’s bare backside comes only when getting a reaction of Emma taking in the weight of the moment.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Obviously, getting another gold medal for her, so happy for her.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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