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
  • 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
  • One was a regional distributor of garbage trucks, street sweepers, and sewer suckers for municipalities.
    — Eric Zwick, The Atlantic, 14 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
  • 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
  • Coach Rhett Lashlee was already annoyed with special teams coming into the game, and that was before the Mustangs botched two PAT attempts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • After all, casinos don’t bother to make distinctions, labeling all winning systems as criminal.
    — Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Still bothered by nagging arm and knee issues, Ohtani batted second behind Betts.
    — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • The supporting cast is well stocked with character actors who bring humor and pathos to this gaggle of spouses, friends, lovers and bootleggers.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Orr’s trail repairs come at a time when outdoors lovers are feeling particularly protective of public lands.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 1 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
  • The first step to brighter-looking underarms is figuring out what might be irritating them in the first place.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Another person may approach the goal differently, which could be useful rather than irritating.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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