bugbears

noun

Definition of bugbearsnext
plural of bugbear
1
as in dreads
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 headaches
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbears
  1. headaches
  2. terrors
  3. frustrations
  4. enemies
  5. annoyances
  6. irritants
Noun
  • Illness begins suddenly and symptoms include high fever, muscle pains, bleeding, severe headaches, diarrhea and vomiting blood.
    Robert Hart, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Officials say that people who have been exposed to infected animals should look out for eye redness (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever in the 10 days after exposure.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of headaches
Noun
  • The real terrors are kept outside, on this notoriously hellish stretch of Hollywood Boulevard.
    Jess Joho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Film fanatics might recall the lurking terrors in 1997’s Campfire Tales or the budding romance of two college grads in 2004’s Perfect Opposites.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2024
Definition of terrors
Noun
  • Burkina Faso’s 2022 coups came amid frustrations over the authorities’ inability to quash recurring jihadist violence, despite intensive French military assistance, which has claimed thousands of lives for almost a decade.
    Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
  • For many people, that shot solidified the Joker as a concept who spoke to their own frustrations with the very same kind of systems that failed Arthur.
    Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of frustrations
Noun
  • While many were quick to gloat that Grewal was defeated by enemies lobbying against him, turnover is common in the high-pressure role.
    BYAndrew Nusca, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Running into undiscovered rooms sometimes provided a sense of reprieve and escape from enemies, but there’s always a chance that it could be locked, or there’s another monster right inside.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of enemies
Noun
  • Parking apps did away with these annoyances.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024
  • As a result, jealousies, annoyances and fears may arise.
    Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Definition of annoyances
Noun
  • Avoid using harsh products on your face and lips, including fragrances and other irritants.
    Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024
  • The botanical extracts in this 100% natural-origin formula help both maintain skin’s natural lipid barrier with polysaccharides as well as defend against irritants thanks to extracts from plants native to harsh climates.
    Katie Becker, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2024
Definition of irritants
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near bugbears

bugbear

bugbears

bugeye

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Bugbears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugbears. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bugbears

Nglish: Translation of bugbears for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bugbears for Arabic Speakers

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