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
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Get clear about what’s bugging you.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Woke up this morning, still kind of bugging me.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.
—Sarah Linn
april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
But so much of my journalism has been about something that’s bugging me.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
And also, Bill has to be home and also not bugging me.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Clara could hear Dune’s sister, Fern, in the background bugging Dune to resume their chess game.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Get clear about what’s bugging you.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Woke up this morning, still kind of bugging me.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.
—Sarah Linn
april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
But so much of my journalism has been about something that’s bugging me.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
And also, Bill has to be home and also not bugging me.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Clara could hear Dune’s sister, Fern, in the background bugging Dune to resume their chess game.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging
Noun
-
But instead of quietly dispersing, patrons and neighborhood residents resisted, sparking several nights of demonstrations that crystallized growing frustration with discrimination and police harassment.—
Diana Rodriguez,
Time,
8 June 2026
-
The other lawsuit accuses the sheriff's office of similar hiring practices and harassment for speaking up.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Brunson turned on the boosters in the second half, attacking the Spurs' defense and showing little sign that his knee was bothering him.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
If certain smells or experiences are bothering you, here are some other tips for managing postpartum odor and sweat.—
Dory Zayas,
Parents,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
But if your concerned friend starts worrying about AI data centers literally causing a worldwide water catastrophe, the actual numbers involved should hopefully put those worries to rest.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
-
The Hornets can outbid any other team in total dollars, length and yearly bumps without worrying about the cap number.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Two teens detained in Lee’s Summit In Lee’s Summit, police spent nearly two hours breaking up a series of incidents and disturbances involving teenagers at the city’s Downtown Days festival Saturday night.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
-
Oriyomi was issued a trespass warning and allegedly caused a disturbance by recording officers with his phone before leaving the airport, per court documents.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.—
Tyler Hayes,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2026
Verb
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How to avoid chiggers Aside from the potential risk of anaphylactic allergy and severe illness, chiggers are, well, irritating.—
Eva Flowe
June 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
When pouring perlite out of the bag, wear a mask and eye protection to prevent any dust that floats in the air from irritating your eyes, nose, or throat.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The seven-week-old puppies were passed out asleep after a long, hard day of being dogs, but that didn’t stop people from getting their hands on them.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
After the crowd was getting restless with some boos, Mexico has added to its lead.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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