BUGS Synonyms: 273 Similar and Opposite Words

bugs 1 of 2

noun

plural of bug

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in lunatics

a person having or showing a severely disordered or abnormal state of mind a bug with a fascination for committing arson

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bugs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bug

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bothers

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 bugs

Noun

Warming temperatures around the world are also helping those bugs spread. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 27 Aug. 2026 Mountain Moose, Alaska The best hunting for the biggest deer in the world is in the mountains of Alaska where Alaska-Yukon bull moose climb above treeline to escape summer bugs and grow antlers that can span more than six feet! — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026 Fortunately, diatomaceous earth is a natural insect repellent that can kill spiders and other bugs in your home safely and effectively. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026 Why Bed Exercises Are Effective for Older Adults Though they can be done from the comfort of your own bed, bed exercises like hollow holds and dead bugs can improve your balance and stability by activating deep core strength. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 18 Aug. 2026 The filter basket capacity is a hefty six liters, so leaves, twigs, dirt, fine sand, algae, and bugs don't stand a chance. — John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026 This is despite safety concerns surrounding hallucinations, bugs, and other unintended vulnerabilities. — Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 2026 Nick McMurray, who became fascinated with bugs as a child turning over logs in the woods, now runs a public outreach program to get others interested in insects. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026 With fewer bugs and less moisture, your home will be less appealing to lizards. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza. — Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026 Which Iowa cities ranked on the national list for worst bed bugs? — Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 25 July 2026 Lift sheets, curtains and cushions to check for bed bugs or signs of bed bugs before settling in. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 Instead, as Laura bugs her sister long enough about just forgiving her already, Mary explodes. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026 What really bugs me about this moment, and about the battle and its aftermath, is the lack of feeling. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs

Noun

Some kinds of trees, such as honey locusts, hackberries, lindens and maples, are naturally more inclined to produce suckers.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
The ornamental characteristics of suckers that develop from roots are inferior to the upper portion of the tree.

— Molly Burford, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of suckers

Noun

If the model works, Hund says Rare Ventures will expand to include more diseases and potentially fund more treatments.

— Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
This is far from the first time that Kennedy and his allies have attempted to downplay and spread misinformation about deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of diseases

Noun

Republicans see an opportunity here, portraying progressive and socialist Democrats as lunatics and communists.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
While sane Americans were celebrating the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, the lunatics in Portland, Oregon were cheering along as two men made out on a baseball field during a 'Heated Rivalry' theme night.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of lunatics

Verb

That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal.

— Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways What bothers me most about this scam is that criminals are going after people who may have the fewest options to protect themselves.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bothers

Noun

Board game lovers will soon be able to nerd out at a new store and may even get the chance to play a few rounds inside a former bank vault.

— Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
Instead, volumizing mascara lovers may just have found their new holy grail, particularly those who want volume without clumping.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lovers

Noun

The question of defining a measles death hasn't come up much in recent decades because vaccination rates were high and measles illnesses and deaths had become rare.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Thousands of people were sickened by foodborne illnesses this summer.

— Dian Zhang, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of illnesses

Noun

The odd thing about this choice is that, although the DSA’s platform is indeed chock-full of maniacal proposals, on this particular idea, the maniacs have a point.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 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, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 2026

Definition of maniacs

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bug out

bugs

bugs off

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“Bugs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bugs

noun

verb

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