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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of bugbear
The billionaire’s post on his social network X referred specifically to a Trump executive order ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion mandates — a longtime bugbear of world’s richest person, who runs six companies and has railed against DEI efforts for years.
—
Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 21 Jan. 2025
The new Conservative government, intent on reducing the deficit, cut deep and broad, slashing spending not just on party bugbears like welfare but also on public budgets for investment.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 3 July 2024
Another bugbear on Teams can come if you’ve been invited to a pre-arranged meeting, or left a meeting partway through, but still receive notifications every time a message is typed into the chat box of the ongoing meeting.
—Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2020
Those claims play into concerns about government overreach, a common right-wing bugbear.
—Ben Guarino, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bugbear
Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 21 Jan. 2025
The new Conservative government, intent on reducing the deficit, cut deep and broad, slashing spending not just on party bugbears like welfare but also on public budgets for investment.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 3 July 2024
Another bugbear on Teams can come if you’ve been invited to a pre-arranged meeting, or left a meeting partway through, but still receive notifications every time a message is typed into the chat box of the ongoing meeting.
—Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2020
Those claims play into concerns about government overreach, a common right-wing bugbear.
—Ben Guarino, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bugbear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbear
Noun
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Our familiar route turned into an obstacle course of dread, and every step toward the school building sent him deeper into a panicked spiral.—
Elizabeth Austin,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
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Once the innie enters the room, it is forced to engage in an activity which coincides with things Gemma fears (going to the dentist, airplane turbulence) or dreads (writing thank-you cards).—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Early signs of the disease include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, while half of all HPS patients also go through headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal pain.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the most common issues are headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.—
Dr. Mishal Reja,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Another looming bugaboo: Father Time, which Rocky says is undefeated.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Two of the three losses came by submission, which has been her bugaboo throughout her professional career.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The human invaders as usual are a major threat to Pandora in an existential sense, plus former military guy/Na'vi villain Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) is a constant thorn in their sides.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Judges' grants of nationwide relief have been a thorn in the administration's side since Trump took office in January.—
Christina Gatti,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Several hundred additional complaints by public school districts across the US claim the platforms have created a public nuisance that’s undermining the educational system.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2025
-
At first, the un-washable Fisk murals are a nuisance to the new mayor, but there are ways to take advantage of the situation.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The report was commissioned after the deadly New Year's Day terror attack on Bourbon Street when a man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd of revelers.—
Kierra Frazier,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2025
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The suspect is now facing charges of assault with bodily injury with a previous conviction, injury to the elderly, continuous violence against family, resisting arrest and terror threat of family, McLennan County Jail records seen by PEOPLE show.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Jeff: When meeting with reporters on Wednesday, Chastain indicated he was mystified and offended by Logano’s post-race comments expressing frustration with the Trackhouse Racing driver.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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Several owners of food and drink establishments have spoken with The Star in recent months to share their frustrations about property crimes affecting businesses across Kansas City.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sailing teaches us that being an honorable competitor is more important than being a top competitor because while every race is there to lose, luck is the omnipresent hobgoblin.—
Conor Mastromarco,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Nov. 2024
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Gleeson’s Puck is a malevolent hobgoblin who serves as the royal jester to King Auberon of Faerie.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
2 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bugbear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbear. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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