BUGBEAR Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

bugbear

noun

ˈbəg-ˌber

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

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Recent Examples of bugbear The billionaire’s post on his social network X referred specifically to a Trump executive order ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion mandates — a longtime bugbear of world’s richest person, who runs six companies and has railed against DEI efforts for years. —Bloomberg, Orange County Register, 21 Jan. 2025 The new Conservative government, intent on reducing the deficit, cut deep and broad, slashing spending not just on party bugbears like welfare but also on public budgets for investment. —Josh Holder, New York Times, 3 July 2024 Another bugbear on Teams can come if you’ve been invited to a pre-arranged meeting, or left a meeting partway through, but still receive notifications every time a message is typed into the chat box of the ongoing meeting. —Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2020 Those claims play into concerns about government overreach, a common right-wing bugbear. —Ben Guarino, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bugbear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugbear

Noun

Over the past few weeks, my family has watched with dread as the Trump administration has closed the borders of the United States to asylum seekers and refugees just like in World War II.

— Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
For many, there's a feeling of dread associated with software updates to your favorite gadget.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025