bug 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəg How to pronounce bug (audio)
Definition of bugnext
1
as in sucker
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something a camera bug who loves taking candid shots at fairs and festivals

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2
as in disease
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

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bug

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts these incessant phone calls are really starting to bug me

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2
as in to bother
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation I hate to bug you, but could you help me move this table?

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bug
Noun
After being idle on the throttle and letting the car slow, as is the norm on a formation lap, the software bug prevented the electrical power from kicking in. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Conway argues that Newsom’s friendly relationship with AI leaders are a feature, not a bug. — Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
The indictment revealed that prosecutors had bugged the Aisenbergs' home for three months after Sabrina's disappearance. — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 However, in-flight cabin etiquette is only one part of what’s bugging travelers this summer. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug
  1. sucker
  2. disease
  3. annoy
  4. bother
  5. lover
  6. ailment
  7. irritate
  8. worry
Noun
  • The theory seems to be that there will always be another crop of suckers willing to pump money into the ecosystem, so the market will provide.
    — Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • These sucker shoots can quickly form a thicket of stems that are unsightly, inherently weak, and prone to storm damage if allowed to mature.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of sucker
Noun
  • Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are difficult to study, in part because diagnosing the disease early in people is challenging.
    — Julie Moreno, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Younger demographics are being diagnosed with increasing cases of colon cancer, and people of color face disproportionately higher mortality rates from the disease.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of disease
Verb
  • And now Snider found himself here, under a bright, blue sky, annoyed as a fireman examined the staples on the side of his head.
    — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • What annoys me is that this whole thing is called Roaring 20th, so why was there not a flapper and Great Gatsby theme?
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Art lovers should aim to be there in April when Joali hosts its annual Imagi-Nature Art Festival.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The undead hero initially turns agains the X-Men and serves Apocalypse, but Gambit’s lover Rogue is able to save him by harnessing the enormous power of a Celestial and offering to sacrifice herself.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Another handful of Panthers injuries to monitor The Panthers also have a few ailments to keep track of during the Week 5 bye.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This puzzle is stuffed with nuance, pleasing crosses and a lot of simply terrific, ridiculously evocative stuff — for example, a jarring assortment of lovely trivia intersecting with some hideous ailments at more than one juncture.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ailment
Verb
  • Tactics such as ragebait have only added to the fatigue, irritating enthusiasts already frustrated by the relentless churn of slop.
    — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Patients may be advised to use gentle, fragrance-free products, keep the area moisturized, and avoid anything that further irritates the skin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • Nothing to worry about, though, as the hotel is located in a neighborhood packed with restaurants and bars of all sorts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Following these reports, concerns are circulating about what exactly caused the death and quarantine — and just how worried the rest of the world should be.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry

Phrases Containing bug

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buffs
bug
bugaboo
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Cite this Entry

“Bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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