1
as in suckers
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
a camera bug who loves taking candid shots at fairs and festivals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diseases
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
3
as in lunatics
a person having or showing a severely disordered or abnormal state of mind
a bug with a fascination for committing arson
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in annoys
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 bothers
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
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Recent Examples of bugs
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Postmortem Peter is the Chief Bug Finder, ensuring there aren’t bugs in Larry’s work, and fixing any that come up.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 14 May 2026
If left out, they can get weathered and moldy from the rain and become home to bugs or allergens.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Elke and Alysia started seeing the big bugs fluttering around in late April, and as their numbers grew through early May, the native rainbows started keying in on them more and more.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Goldenrod is famous for attracting all sorts of desirable bugs to your garden, like butterflies, bees, beneficial wasps and flies, and soldier beetles.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026
That’s why not eating matters, why getting eaten by bugs matter and why feeling psychologically like you’re being hunted by the other players matter.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The nets also protect against other critters, including chipmunks, bunnies, and bugs.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
Some crews and passengers use vacuums, disinfectants and brushes to keep shoes and equipment free of bugs, feathers, seeds and microbe-carrying dirt, said AP.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
As an existing subdivision — 99% of it vacant — Azure Vista offered hundreds of buildable vacant lots populated only by red ants, quail and Groucho Marx bugs.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Travelers are advised to inspect hotel rooms upon arrival and use precautions like plastic bags or luggage liners to prevent bringing bed bugs home.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
At the end of the 19th century, Phylloxera bugs infected vineyards across Europe but a solution was found, and viticulture adapted and continued.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The singer admitted that he bugs Brown and his son for constant updates on the baby girl.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Which bugs bite on the NC coast?
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
The best plants that repel pests naturally Some plants earn their reputation as pest fighters because their natural oils and scents are simply too strong for bugs to tolerate.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Postmortem Peter is the Chief Bug Finder, ensuring there aren’t bugs in Larry’s work, and fixing any that come up.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 14 May 2026
If left out, they can get weathered and moldy from the rain and become home to bugs or allergens.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Elke and Alysia started seeing the big bugs fluttering around in late April, and as their numbers grew through early May, the native rainbows started keying in on them more and more.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Goldenrod is famous for attracting all sorts of desirable bugs to your garden, like butterflies, bees, beneficial wasps and flies, and soldier beetles.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026
That’s why not eating matters, why getting eaten by bugs matter and why feeling psychologically like you’re being hunted by the other players matter.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The nets also protect against other critters, including chipmunks, bunnies, and bugs.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
Some crews and passengers use vacuums, disinfectants and brushes to keep shoes and equipment free of bugs, feathers, seeds and microbe-carrying dirt, said AP.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
Verb
When traveling, the EPA suggests inspecting any room visitors will be staying in for the presence of bed bugs.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
As an existing subdivision — 99% of it vacant — Azure Vista offered hundreds of buildable vacant lots populated only by red ants, quail and Groucho Marx bugs.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Travelers are advised to inspect hotel rooms upon arrival and use precautions like plastic bags or luggage liners to prevent bringing bed bugs home.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
At the end of the 19th century, Phylloxera bugs infected vineyards across Europe but a solution was found, and viticulture adapted and continued.
—Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
The singer admitted that he bugs Brown and his son for constant updates on the baby girl.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Which bugs bite on the NC coast?
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs
Noun
-
That makes students who play by the rules feel like suckers.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
-
But the juries, returning for the semis after a four-year absence, are still suckers for this kind of old-school showboating.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Fungal infections, leaf spot diseases, scale insects, and spider mites are among the most common culprits.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
August is when the season begins to ebb, with fewer nymphs around and eggs hatching larvae that are largely free of diseases.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
To get a sentence like that in a communist, radically left-wing city of liberal lunatics is truly amazing.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasn’t far behind, saying the war is being waged against religious lunatics.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And if someone bothers Anaia, Racine is there to fight for her.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
An unconventional structure or new approach bothers them not a whit.—
Mac Barnett,
Longreads,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
The two played lovers on the award-winning HBO series, Driver’s character being quite the abusive onscreen boyfriend at times.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
-
For beach lovers looking to steer clear of crowds, Florida's Forgotten Coast is a welcome reprieve.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Three cases were reported earlier this week, long after the typical growing season for the mushrooms behind the illnesses, leaving public health officials and mycologists puzzled about why the poisonings have been so widespread and what is causing the trend.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
-
Further genetic sequencing is ongoing today to determine the strain causing the illnesses.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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