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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of bugs
Huo Jingnan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
By the same token, one of the biggest bugs plaguing AMC’s The Audacity may be the timing.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Soapy Water Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Built from timber, stone, and glass, they’re positioned so each one faces its own stretch of forest, with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to let in air and sound without inviting bugs.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
The children described abusive living conditions and were allegedly prevented from eating for several days, driving them to eat mold, bugs, dog food and grass due to extreme hunger, according to the criminal complaints.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
These partners can use Mythos Preview to scan and secure bugs and exploits in their software.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Spring camping comes with a few unique challenges—rain, temperature swings, and particularly bloodthirsty bugs among them.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Incorporating other core-strengthening exercises, like side planks, bird dogs, dead bugs, and suitcase carries, can help reinforce the same muscles and, ultimately, prolong your plank holds.
—Christa Sgobba, Health, 3 Apr. 2026
Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Travelers are advised to inspect hotel rooms upon arrival and use precautions like plastic bags or luggage liners to prevent bringing bed bugs home.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
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
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
Noun
While all bugs affect the functionality of the software, only some bugs present security vulnerabilities.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
By the same token, one of the biggest bugs plaguing AMC’s The Audacity may be the timing.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Soapy Water Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Built from timber, stone, and glass, they’re positioned so each one faces its own stretch of forest, with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to let in air and sound without inviting bugs.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
The children described abusive living conditions and were allegedly prevented from eating for several days, driving them to eat mold, bugs, dog food and grass due to extreme hunger, according to the criminal complaints.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
These partners can use Mythos Preview to scan and secure bugs and exploits in their software.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Spring camping comes with a few unique challenges—rain, temperature swings, and particularly bloodthirsty bugs among them.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Incorporating other core-strengthening exercises, like side planks, bird dogs, dead bugs, and suitcase carries, can help reinforce the same muscles and, ultimately, prolong your plank holds.
—Christa Sgobba, Health, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
As an existing subdivision — 99% of it vacant — Azure Vista offered hundreds of buildable vacant lots populated only by red ants, quail and Groucho Marx bugs.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Travelers are advised to inspect hotel rooms upon arrival and use precautions like plastic bags or luggage liners to prevent bringing bed bugs home.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs
Noun
-
But to think that suckers get an even break when insiders have information that assures them of winning is folly.—
William Mersey,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Invasive vines like Virginia creeper, English ivy, and buckthorn can strangle trees, for example, and some aggressive trees may spread via underground suckers and roots.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Repeat expansions have been shown in lots of neurological diseases.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Plants growing in crowded conditions with poor air circulation are an ideal breeding ground for fungal diseases to spread.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasn’t far behind, saying the war is being waged against religious lunatics.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The danger is in doing nothing as theocratic lunatics continue to weaponize with atomic bombs and modern missile delivery systems.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His approach is to look at what bothers that person the most.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The political rhetoric aimed at ridiculing Canada bothers Johnson.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Coincidentally landing on National Cheddar Fries Day and National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day, the date is shaping up to be a great day for snack-lovers and munchies-havers alike.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Tavish, who just moved to New Zealand from Los Angeles with his bride, is a gigolo whose three previous aging lovers died under mysterious circumstances.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Miyahara is the president and CEO of the San Diego Community Housing Corporation, and Morales-Roth is executive director of the Emilio Nares Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Crawling the walls Orson Welles learned to draw from his mother, who informally homeschooled the budding artist during his childhood, which was marked by grave illnesses including malaria and diphtheria.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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