bugbear

noun

ˈbəg-ˌber How to pronounce bugbear (audio)
Definition of bugbearnext
1
as in dread
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason communism was once the nation's biggest bugbear

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation hated all the bugbears of modern life, especially those long commutes to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bugbear This has been one of its main bugbears for years, with several engine types experimented with. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026 Timings, though, can often be a bugbear. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 The turbulence created in a car’s wake is the eternal bugbear of F1 fans and rulemakers. — ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026 Take The Mandibles, a book that revolves around the national debt, long a bugbear of hers. — Adelle Waldman, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bugbear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbear
  1. dread
  2. headache
  3. bugaboo
  4. thorn
  5. terror
  6. nuisance
  7. enemy
  8. frustration
Noun
  • The singer-songwriter’s seventh album is their wackiest and funniest to date, with a madcap gleam coursing through its synth-pop portraits of lovable weirdos and suburban dread.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Moton lingered on the turf for a while, punching the turf in pain and dread, before a cart came out to transport him to the locker room.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of dread
Noun
  • Those headaches create headwinds, but the underlying story provides support.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Residents have reported symptoms including burning in the eyes, lungs and sinuses, bad headaches and nausea.
    — Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • Staying on the field has been his biggest bugaboo with the Red Sox.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • This thing of like trying to paint a certain type or color or class of people as the enemy and the great bugaboo in America?
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of bugaboo
Noun
  • Their similarities end there with Divya becoming a thorn in Isla’s plans all season.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In the initial draft that didn't make it into the final episode, Greg touched on how STAGFLATION was a central thorn in the side of this concept.
    — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • French President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a racist terror attack, saying people were targeted due to their religion and the color of their skin.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Iran's proxy gang - the Yemeni terror group known as the Houthis - has recently killed civilians in Saudi Arabia with attacks on the airport.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of terror
Noun
  • Residents say the coyote had been a nuisance in the area since January, when a neighbor began feeding it.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Benjamin was charged with allegedly obstructing a police officer and being a public nuisance.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • Compassion doesn’t mean that presidents or other public officials should bow to enemies or surrender common sense in tackling the world’s harsh realities.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And despite huge military spending, Saudi forces have struggled to deter their enemies.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Burks said much of the frustration is connected to top leaders who provide insufficient training.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Clinton's lack of a majority and list of frustrations in his first term set the stage for a bruising first midterm election in 1994.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

bugaboos
bugbear
bugbears
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Cite this Entry

“Bugbear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbear. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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