as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
this perpetual bugging while I'm working is driving me nuts!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in bothering
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 worrying
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bugging
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
12 June 2026
His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Get clear about what’s bugging you.
—
Usa Today,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Woke up this morning, still kind of bugging me.
—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.
—
Sarah Linn
april 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.
—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
But so much of my journalism has been about something that’s bugging me.
—
Jack Denton,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
And also, Bill has to be home and also not bugging me.
—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
12 June 2026
His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Get clear about what’s bugging you.
—
Usa Today,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Woke up this morning, still kind of bugging me.
—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.
—
Sarah Linn
april 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.
—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
But so much of my journalism has been about something that’s bugging me.
—
Jack Denton,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
And also, Bill has to be home and also not bugging me.
—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging
Noun
-
Court paperwork shows Deshong is facing charges of harassment, indecent assault and stalking.
-
He has been accused by more than 80 women of misconduct, ranging from harassment to rape, over decades and in multiple jurisdictions around the world.
Verb
-
That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
-
This common form of anxiety arises when dogs are left alone for an amount of time, often worrying that they will permanently be left behind.
-
Taken together, the actions signal a worrying return to a reality where people with disabilities are pushed to the margins of society, advocates said.
Noun
-
Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
-
However, about 15 minutes into the flight, a pilot reported a passenger disturbance to air traffic control.
Verb
-
Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.
Verb
-
Unanswered workplace messages are a common, irritating phenomenon, often perceived as deliberate avoidance despite recipients being active elsewhere.
-
Morales turns another character who can be irritating into one whose lot, and whose needs, demands attention.
Verb
-
Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.
-
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
Verb
-
Farmer, who had a right forearm strain, went 2-for-20 with a home run at Columbus while getting reps at catcher.
-
Reaching such a stage would be the third World Cup final in succession for France, after getting their hands on the trophy in 2018 and losing to Argentina last time around.
Cite this Entry
“Bugging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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