BUGBEAR Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

bugbear

noun

ˈbəg-ˌber

Definition of bugbear

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

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

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 bugbear This has been one of its main bugbears for years, with several engine types experimented with. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026 Timings, though, can often be a bugbear. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 The turbulence created in a car’s wake is the eternal bugbear of F1 fans and rulemakers. — ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026 Take The Mandibles, a book that revolves around the national debt, long a bugbear of hers. — Adelle Waldman, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bugbear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbear

Noun

Part of our collective mounting dread is that this technology is far outstripping the ability, access, and time required to study its effects on human beings.

— Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026
Instead of fond memories of her father, Wynne was filled with dread.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dread

Noun

Various parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda to treat conditions including headaches, colic, dropsy, rheumatism, nervous agitation, constipation, dyspepsia, and infections of the eye and throat.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
The Bruins’ biggest headache could be 6-foot-5 tight end Jamari Johnson, who caught seven passes for 159 yards against USC, particularly with all three of UCLA’s starting cornerbacks shorter than 6 feet.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

The Parquet Courts frontman has launched the group Iconic Fugues with a two-pronged track that’s surely relatable to anyone who has a rose and a thorn of the past year.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
The shrubs, ranging from deer brush to white thorn shrub, are incredibly good at resprouting, Young said.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

In-line fours got bigger, went a hell of a lot faster, and schooled several generations of riders in sheer terror, while simultaneously addicting them to industrial doses of adrenaline.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
More than 1,200 people – mostly civilians – were killed in the terror attack.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

But a big cooler is one guest that can really crash and burn the party – a hard, bulky nuisance that's uncomfortable on or near the bed and unsecure outside the vehicle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Attorneys for the Bloomfield group have argued that the building behind the Pyles does not create a nuisance.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

Slota’s online footprint shows a history of endorsing violence against political enemies, training with firearms, and inviting other leftists to prepare for possible armed conflict before his arrest, a Washington Examiner review found.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Dexter will also battle a new, unexpected enemy — a mid-life crisis — as Harrison (Alcott) continues his own pursuit of justice as father and son face their darkest chapter yet.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of enemy

Browse Nearby Words

bugaboos

bugbear

bugbears

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of bugbear

noun

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