Bugbear

//ˈbʌɡ.bɛə(ɹ)// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An ongoing problem; a recurring obstacle or adversity.

    "Stone ballast is now used throughout the main line, and has the additional advantage of eliminating the previous bugbear of dust."

  2. 2
    an object of dread or apprehension wordnet
  3. 3
    A source of dread; resentment; or irritation.

    "What has this Bugbear Death to frighten Man, If Souls can die, as well as Bodies can?"

  4. 4
    an imaginary monster used to frighten children wordnet
  5. 5
    A generic creature, often described as a large goblin, meant to inspire fear in children.

    "Ha, ha: alas poore wretch: a poore Chipochia, haſt not ſlept to night? would he not (a naughty man) let it ſleepe: a bug-beare take him."

Verb
  1. 1
    To alarm with idle phantoms. transitive

Synonyms

All synonyms
bogeymanbogeymanbugabooabominationafflictionanathema

Example

More examples

"The reliance on a data connection to function is a big bugbear."

Etymology

From obsolete meaning of bug (“something terrifying”) + bear. See Middle English bugge, modern bogey.

Related phrases

bête noire

More for "bugbear"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.