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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging
Noun
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For the better part of the 2010s, Twitter struggled to balance a desire for free-speech maximalism with scattershot attempts to quell harassment on the platform.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
1 Oct. 2025 -
Bukele had been waging a harassment campaign against El Faro, which had aggressively covered corruption in his government.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The injury that will sideline Herro to begin this season is one that had been bothering him for a few months.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
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Even scrambling around, his knee was bothering him.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Interest wanes during the summer, except for mowing, watering and worrying about this or that patch of dead grass.—
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp,
IndyStar,
27 Sep. 2025
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Typically this can include cognitive symptoms, like worrying about everything all the time, and a host of physical symptoms.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The disturbance is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 8 to 12 inches with isolated maximum totals of 16 inches in eastern Cuba, and 4 to 8 inches of rain in the Bahamas.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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The disturbance draws Rafferty and his men into the heart of the crowd — and away from the entrances — to break up the skirmish.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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A lot of noise around the Chiefs The Chiefs have become a mainstay in NFL discourse by winning three Super Bowls in the Mahomes era, and annoying an endless list of fan bases with their ability to overcome the odds and rally for a late win at an unprecedented rate.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
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The Sounders’ defenders swarmed Messi from the first minute, and midfielder Obed Vargas was particularly physical, annoying the Argentine icon time and again.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 2025
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Her aging stepfather knocks heads with her flawed and irritating ex-husband, who also moves into the home.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That led to millions more people getting coverage, some of whom paid little or nothing, and more plans being offered.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Now, its most iconic silhouettes from the archive are getting a new lease on life — just in time to the brand’s 120th anniversary.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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