1
as in sucker
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
a camera bug who loves taking candid shots at fairs and festivals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disease
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to annoy
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 to bother
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
I hate to bug you, but could you help me move this table?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bug
Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
After being riddled by injuries last season, the injury bug may already be making its way back to the Miami Dolphins.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Juhi Wadia July 11, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
If things were in fact bugged during the Contest Mode run, a limited-time offering, that’s going to be something if a disaster to admit.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug
Noun
The nausea was due to a stomach bug, and her period commenced soon after.
—Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
After being riddled by injuries last season, the injury bug may already be making its way back to the Miami Dolphins.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
Bose Earbud Deals These Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are all about deep bass, solid noise cancellation, and a fit that doesn’t start to bug you halfway through your playlist.
—Juhi Wadia July 11, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
If things were in fact bugged during the Contest Mode run, a limited-time offering, that’s going to be something if a disaster to admit.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug
Noun
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Be prepared for the inevitable by having these throat-soothing suckers in stock.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Muscles contract to reduce water pressure inside the sucker.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
This greater understanding is now being explored as potential preventions or therapies for a wide range of diseases, from H5N1 bird flu and HIV to cancer.—
Simon Williams,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Myths, folk tales, and negative media coverage mean people often link these flying mammals to vampires or blame them for disease outbreaks.—
Anna Tunkova,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Bankrate also recently released a survey showing that 38% are annoyed by pre-entered tip screens at coffee shops, food trucks, etc.—
Karlyn Bowman,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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The situation was a fairly familiar story for any community where industry is close to homes: The operations of the business began to annoy residents, and patience ran out as months went by without an answer.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If a body is here, whoever buried it didn’t bother digging deep, because there’s no fear of getting caught.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The article includes a fancy-looking formula central to the algorithm, but the formula is nearly impossible to decipher since the authors didn’t bother to explain half the symbols in it.—
Noah Giansiracusa,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Mammoth Lakes Highley has one more must-visit small town to recommend for outdoor lovers: Mammoth Lakes.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Aug. 2025
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Why bother, when there’s a big and growing market out there for innovative ways to link up pets, pet lovers and new technology?—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Emergency room doctors see the worst-case scenarios, the weird fluke accidents, the mysterious ailments and miraculous recoveries.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
-
His ailment isn’t known. — Edge rusher Mo Kamara, who left Friday’s practice, returned.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As Venus irritates Pluto, exploring an office entanglement might not be a good idea!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
-
In fact, vitamin C, chemical exfoliants (like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid), and retinol shouldn’t be used together all at once, since this combination can irritate and inflame the skin (including your existing hyperpigmentation).—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Now, conservation experts worry the road will propel more urbanization.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
-
How did the pill get such a bad reputation and is there anything to worry about?—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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