bugbears

noun

Definition of bugbearsnext
plural of bugbear
1
as in dreads
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 headaches
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbears
  1. headaches
  2. terrors
  3. frustrations
  4. enemies
  5. annoyances
  6. irritants
Noun
  • Lula underwent surgery for an intracranial hemorrhage after the 79-year-old leader complained of headaches that doctors believed to be the result of a fall in a bathroom at his home in October.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • There can be side effects from supplementation, such as bad-smelling breath and sweat and headaches, as well as digestive issues such as heartburn, nausea or diarrhea, Harvard’s site stated.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of headaches
Noun
  • Watch Egerton discuss his airline travel terrors in the clip above.
    EW.com, EW.com, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The most recent entry, Evil Dead Rise, stars Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland as two sisters trapped in a high-rise apartment as their family is possessed by supernatural terrors.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of terrors
Noun
  • People typically hate car shopping, with most surveys showing that the dealership experience tops people’s lists of frustrations.
    Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Remind Groups Of Shared Goals Communications leaders can remind both internal and external stakeholders what the common goal is to redirect frustrations into a harmonious resolution.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of frustrations
Noun
  • For supporters, the appeal of his administration revolves in part around his promises to gut the federal government, seek retribution against his political enemies, and remake American institutions.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
  • After Jeff the Land Shark was revived while in the fog, his teammates and enemies would not be able to see the special effects of Joyful Splash.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of enemies
Noun
  • Much of the testimony, as is typical when corporate figures are summoned before Congress to discuss the public’s annoyances with their industries, was slippery.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 4 Dec. 2024
  • Try to avoid taking your annoyances out by honking loudly.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Definition of annoyances
Noun
  • Touching it with your bare hands may not be a good idea for this reason and because the plant can absorb allergens and irritants if it’s lived in the same place for a long stretch of time.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2024
  • More than 31 million Americans have eczema, which is typically caused by an overactive immune system that results in skin inflammation in response to allergens and/or irritants.
    Lynya Floyd, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024
Definition of irritants
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near bugbears

bugbear

bugbears

bugeye

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Cite this Entry

“Bugbears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbears. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bugbears

Nglish: Translation of bugbears for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bugbears for Arabic Speakers

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