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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bugs
Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
Avoid planting zucchini next to potatoes and pumpkins, which can steal nutrients or attract harmful bugs.
—Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The farm draws on sustainable farming practices like using predatory bugs to keep pests at bay and recirculating water for the fairly water-hungry plants, according to Roller.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Below are five more items that Lazarus would no doubt approve of, from a portable safe and temporary door lock to a $13 blacklight that can detect bed bugs.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
For brassicas, watch for cabbage worms, flea beetles, and harlequin bugs.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
But unlike most, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread diseases.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Window frames can vary slightly in size, and a screen that does not fit snugly will let in bugs and debris — defeating the entire purpose of having one.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
While all bugs affect the functionality of the software, only some bugs present security vulnerabilities.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 11 Apr. 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
Squash bugs, white flies, and thrips will stay away from cucumbers thanks to the musky, green, and spicy fragrance of marigolds.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
Avoid planting zucchini next to potatoes and pumpkins, which can steal nutrients or attract harmful bugs.
—Lauren David, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The farm draws on sustainable farming practices like using predatory bugs to keep pests at bay and recirculating water for the fairly water-hungry plants, according to Roller.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Below are five more items that Lazarus would no doubt approve of, from a portable safe and temporary door lock to a $13 blacklight that can detect bed bugs.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
For brassicas, watch for cabbage worms, flea beetles, and harlequin bugs.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
But unlike most, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread diseases.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Window frames can vary slightly in size, and a screen that does not fit snugly will let in bugs and debris — defeating the entire purpose of having one.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
While all bugs affect the functionality of the software, only some bugs present security vulnerabilities.
—Huo Jingnan, NPR, 11 Apr. 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
-
Keep in mind that trumpet vines can become invasive by self-seeding and sending up suckers, so allocate ample space.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Apr. 2026
-
When pruning orange trees, focus on dead, damaged, or diseased branches, and getting rid of upright suckers that drain the tree’s energy.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Repeat expansions have been shown in lots of neurological diseases.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Plants growing in crowded conditions with poor air circulation are an ideal breeding ground for fungal diseases to spread.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The danger is in doing nothing as theocratic lunatics continue to weaponize with atomic bombs and modern missile delivery systems.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 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
-
None of that, nor the fact Beckham missed all of 2025, bothers Harbaugh.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Even if their own tax bill is manageable, the idea that the wealthy are underpaying — or that the government is wasting their dollars — bothers many.—
Linley Sanders,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For more advice on keeping your pets happy, healthy and safe through every season, visit USA TODAY Pets, your destination for expert advice, heartwarming stories and the latest news for animal lovers.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Some, like Chloe’s triad, are all lovers.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Miyahara is the president and CEO of the San Diego Community Housing Corporation, and Morales-Roth is executive director of the Emilio Nares Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Crawling the walls Orson Welles learned to draw from his mother, who informally homeschooled the budding artist during his childhood, which was marked by grave illnesses including malaria and diphtheria.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
22 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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