1
as in suckers
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
a camera bug who loves taking candid shots at fairs and festivals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
I can't go to work today because I've caught some bug that's going around
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lunatics
a person having or showing a severely disordered or abnormal state of mind
a bug with a fascination for committing arson
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in annoys
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 bothers
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bugs
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Bed bugs aren’t covered in most plans, but interruption-for-any-reason coverage could help consumers recoup some of the unused trip expenses, according to Seven Corners.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Despite the cesspits of conspiracy-think that pollute contemporary politics, the specific paranoia of Letts’s characters — bugs under the skin, brainwashing, nefarious doctors in government labs — feels less blazingly relevant than comparatively quaint.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
All is sexy and good until her new boyfriend Peter starts seeing and feeling bugs — in the room, in the walls, under his skin, within his eye sockets.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Rest assured, though, that the focus will still be on the competition itself, which pairs high-octane physical stunts with nightmare-inducing challenges that touch on no shortage of fears, from bugs and reptiles to heights and claustrophobia.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
One slide notes that homosexuality is found in more than 1,500 species of animals, and includes photos of fish, bugs and lions.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Housing advocates were beating the drum over tenant protections, lamenting a lack of enforcement from city regulators as residents lived in buildings without heat and hot water, or their units were infested with cockroaches and bed bugs.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Dropped meat that went from floor to refrigerator and a McDonald’s with bugs close to food were among the 10 South Florida restaurants that failed state inspection last week.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Daily Stride Comfort No-show Socks There is nothing that bugs me more than no-show socks that curl up underneath your foot minutes into wearing them.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
At the end of the 19th century, Phylloxera bugs infected vineyards across Europe but a solution was found, and viticulture adapted and continued.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The singer admitted that he bugs Brown and his son for constant updates on the baby girl.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Which bugs bite on the NC coast?
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
On average, the matador bugs increased their waving behavior seven times more in the presence of the predatory mantids.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Fort Worth bed bugs The B-plot of Episode 7 has Peggy setting up a Little Free Library in her front yard in an effort to build community.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
The weather and bugs that come along with South Florida summers lead to fewer visitors, which can be a major plus.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Bed bugs aren’t covered in most plans, but interruption-for-any-reason coverage could help consumers recoup some of the unused trip expenses, according to Seven Corners.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Despite the cesspits of conspiracy-think that pollute contemporary politics, the specific paranoia of Letts’s characters — bugs under the skin, brainwashing, nefarious doctors in government labs — feels less blazingly relevant than comparatively quaint.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
All is sexy and good until her new boyfriend Peter starts seeing and feeling bugs — in the room, in the walls, under his skin, within his eye sockets.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Rest assured, though, that the focus will still be on the competition itself, which pairs high-octane physical stunts with nightmare-inducing challenges that touch on no shortage of fears, from bugs and reptiles to heights and claustrophobia.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
One slide notes that homosexuality is found in more than 1,500 species of animals, and includes photos of fish, bugs and lions.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Housing advocates were beating the drum over tenant protections, lamenting a lack of enforcement from city regulators as residents lived in buildings without heat and hot water, or their units were infested with cockroaches and bed bugs.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Dropped meat that went from floor to refrigerator and a McDonald’s with bugs close to food were among the 10 South Florida restaurants that failed state inspection last week.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Daily Stride Comfort No-show Socks There is nothing that bugs me more than no-show socks that curl up underneath your foot minutes into wearing them.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
At the end of the 19th century, Phylloxera bugs infected vineyards across Europe but a solution was found, and viticulture adapted and continued.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The singer admitted that he bugs Brown and his son for constant updates on the baby girl.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Which bugs bite on the NC coast?
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
On average, the matador bugs increased their waving behavior seven times more in the presence of the predatory mantids.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Fort Worth bed bugs The B-plot of Episode 7 has Peggy setting up a Little Free Library in her front yard in an effort to build community.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs
Noun
-
Additionally, prune any dead branches, thorny suckers, and any branches that may be touching the ground.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Begin by removing any suckers at the base of the tree, side shoots on the trunk, crossing or crooked branches, dead or damaged branches, those that are growing inward, and crowded branches.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
If your plants were plagued by pests or diseases during the growing season, leaving diseased plant debris in your garden allows problems to overwinter and reinfect your plants in spring.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
When making cuts, prune at a 45-degree angle to help water run off and prevent diseases.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The lunatics who attacked the seat of government to try to change the outcome of a free and fair election are not patriots.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Parents know these woke lunatics are bullies.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of its two young sibling protagonists, Amber (Bianca Belle), channels her feelings about the recent death of her mother into drawings of creatures born out of her troubled imagination, some of whom enact violence against the classmate who annoys her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
There's just one thing about Claire Danes that annoys Matthew Rhys.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Feeney’s book features multiple narrators, but relativity is not an idea the series bothers to develop.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Now, wages have grown, but inflation bothers people.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
After all, when lovers of the cosmos come together in this Earth sign, tradition, courtship and long-term commitment take precedence over fleeting chemistry.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The cafe’s signature coconut latte is a great way to beat the heat and a must for coconut lovers.—
Arundhati Hazra,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In addition, stool samples from those suffering from the gastrointestinal illnesses were taken for testing.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, vomiting and fever come on suddenly, and may be mistaken for other minor illnesses.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Haunted Trail takes visitors outdoors through a path with dense fog and several haunting installations with zombies, a ghoul bus, a graveyard filled with ghosts, chainsaw maniacs and more.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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