1
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
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2
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of bugbear
Lemon later pressed Musk on his other recent bugbear: diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024
By Arash Azizi American leftists are facing a question that has become a perennial bugbear.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
The latest edition of this survey, out this week, found that EV’s perennial bugbear is still bugbearing.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024
The world right now may not be entirely ready for EV’s, with bugbears like charging station availability and battery life, but Plug-In Electric Hybrids are a viable alternative.
—Jon Bird, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bugbear 
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024
By Arash Azizi American leftists are facing a question that has become a perennial bugbear.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
The latest edition of this survey, out this week, found that EV’s perennial bugbear is still bugbearing.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024
The world right now may not be entirely ready for EV’s, with bugbears like charging station availability and battery life, but Plug-In Electric Hybrids are a viable alternative.
—Jon Bird, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bugbear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbear
Noun
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But there is a sense of dread at times, particularly with headlines.Michael Cox, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
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There were fewer pickups, more layoffs, tight budgets, high expectations and a general sense of dread that consumed what had been a thriving community of entertainment creatives.Peter White, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The symptoms of influenza A vary from person to person and depend on subtype, but generally consist of coughing, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, headache, fatigue and body aches.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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The last minute maneuvering has given some advisors and businesses whiplash—or at least a big headache.Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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So why do Democrats continue to target the Electoral College as their bugaboo? Laziness.Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 19 Dec. 2024
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Entry Passes To Nikola Jokic One of the ongoing bugaboos for the Nuggets through the course of the career of their three-time MVP and Finals MVP Nikola Jokic has been his teammates’ inability at times to simply feed him the ball in the post.Joel Rush, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Several rabble-rousers who were a thorn in the leadership’s side are leaving the House, including Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) and Bob Good (R-Va.).Filip Timotija, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
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Gone With the Wind Tonight’s finale is the best example yet of how the fire-making challenge continues to be a thorn in the New Era’s side.Joe Reid, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Roger Hallam, the co-founder of the group, is given a five-year term for conspiracy to cause public nuisance.The Week UK, theweek, 25 Dec. 2024
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Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.Josh Bell, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Luigi Mangione already was charged with murder in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson, but the terror allegation is new.Jake Offenhartz and Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
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Terrifier 3—the shock horror hit where Art the Clown brings terror to the Christmas season—is arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD this week.Tim Lammers, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Republicans on Capitol Hill raised frustrations with the measure even before it was unveiled, and Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on Wednesday afternoon added the final nail to the coffin.Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
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In the film, chunks of the audience are cheering, jeering, or crying, in joy or frustration regarding Dylan’s decision to trade folk for rock music, or because of the poor sound quality.Brady Gerber, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Sailing teaches us that being an honorable competitor is more important than being a top competitor because while every race is there to lose, luck is the omnipresent hobgoblin.Conor Mastromarco, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024
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Gleeson’s Puck is a malevolent hobgoblin who serves as the royal jester to King Auberon of Faerie.Denise Petski, Deadline, 2 July 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Bugbear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbear. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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