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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bugging
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
Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging
Noun
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Adults who disclose abuse or harassment by employers risk losing their jobs and economic security.—
Anne P. DePrince,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
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Find more information on how to report workplace harassment and discrimination on the Department of Human Rights' website.—
Stephen Swanson,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jamal Murray’s right shoulder was bothering him during a 1-for-14 outing Saturday.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
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Mass incarceration has led to a fast-growing bloc of citizens who either are legally barred from voting or have just stopped bothering.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Another issue worrying farmers in major food-producing countries like Brazil and India is that the war is also hurting the export market.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
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And so it’s been just a back-and-forth process, trying to be here, the present moment, worrying about home and headlines.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Police said Gerhardt Facko, a Palos Hills resident, was shot following a 911 call to an address on Cour Versailles about a domestic disturbance.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
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Children may present with sensory sensitivities, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, or anxiety, all of which influence tolerance to clinical procedures.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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While it’s powered by retinol, an ingredient known to be irritating, this treats my under-eye with care.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
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The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.—
Leigh Blickley,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 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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He’s known as someone who could raise the tide of an entire defense based on his football IQ and his propensity for getting his teammates properly aligned.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Punishment for operating a poker club illegally Poker clubs have not been legalized by a constitutional amendment or statewide referendum but are generally allowed, according to Zack Fertitta, who helped represent Prime Social in getting its case dismissed.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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