bugbear

noun

bug·bear ˈbəg-ˌber How to pronounce bugbear (audio)

: an imaginary goblin or specter used to excite fear

: an object or source of dread

: a continuing source of irritation : problem

Did you know?

Bugbear sounds like some kind of grotesque hybrid creature from fable or folklore, and that very well may be what the word's creator was trying to evoke. When the word entered English in the 16th century, it referred to any kind of creature made up to frighten someone; in 1592, Thomas Nashe wrote of "Meere bugge-beares to scare boyes." The word's first element refers not to the familiar creatures one encounters in the garden, but to a different bug entirely: since the 15th century, bug (from Middle English bugge, meaning "hobgoblin"—that is, a mischievous goblin) has referred to a ghost or goblin. The bear in bugbear is the one still feared today, and suggests what such made-up creatures were perhaps described as resembling.

Example Sentences

The biggest bugbear of the skiing business is a winter with no snow. communism was once the nation's biggest bugbear

Recent Examples on the Web Genesis says the headroom constraints, as well as the bugbear of placing weight up high, is why the United States won't get the solar panoramic roof that will be offered in other markets.

Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 21 June 2022 But the Reform Act also targets one particular bugbear for the U.S.—container ships returning to China carrying empty containers instead of loaded up with American goods.

Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 June 2022 Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban—an EU bugbear and pal of Russian President Vladimir Putin—had been the holdout.

Rochelle Toplensky, WSJ, 31 May 2022 Range anxiety, once the bugbear of mainstream thought about EVs, is no longer the top concern for shoppers.

Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 27 May 2022 The task of mathematically defending Beveridge’s ideas was taken up by one of the most influential and quantitatively gifted British economists of the century—Nicholas Kaldor, that bugbear of Berman’s.

Idrees Kahloon, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022 The bugbear of the American Left, and false savior of nationalist conservatives, Viktor Orbán, won his fourth consecutive term.

David Harsanyi, National Review, 4 Apr. 2022 Some ban the Times’ 1619 Project, or ethnic studies, or training in diversity, inclusion, and belonging, or the bugbear known as critical race theory.

Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2022 China now firmly occupies the position of Republican bugbear.

Laura Jedeed, The New Republic, 26 Feb. 2022 See More

单词	bugbear
释义	bugbear noun bug·bear ˈbəg-ˌber 1 : an imaginary goblin or specter used to excite fear 2 a : an object or source of dread b : a continuing source of irritation : problem Did you know? Bugbear sounds like some kind of grotesque hybrid creature from fable or folklore, and that very well may be what the word's creator was trying to evoke. When the word entered English in the 16th century, it referred to any kind of creature made up to frighten someone; in 1592, Thomas Nashe wrote of "Meere bugge-beares to scare boyes." The word's first element refers not to the familiar creatures one encounters in the garden, but to a different bug entirely: since the 15th century, bug (from Middle English bugge, meaning "hobgoblin"—that is, a mischievous goblin) has referred to a ghost or goblin. The bear in bugbear is the one still feared today, and suggests what such made-up creatures were perhaps described as resembling. Synonyms bête noire black beast bogey bogie bogy bugaboo dread hobgoblin ogre See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences The biggest bugbear of the skiing business is a winter with no snow. communism was once the nation's biggest bugbear Recent Examples on the Web Genesis says the headroom constraints, as well as the bugbear of placing weight up high, is why the United States won't get the solar panoramic roof that will be offered in other markets. Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 21 June 2022 But the Reform Act also targets one particular bugbear for the U.S.—container ships returning to China carrying empty containers instead of loaded up with American goods. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 June 2022 Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban—an EU bugbear and pal of Russian President Vladimir Putin—had been the holdout. Rochelle Toplensky, WSJ, 31 May 2022 Range anxiety, once the bugbear of mainstream thought about EVs, is no longer the top concern for shoppers. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 27 May 2022 The task of mathematically defending Beveridge’s ideas was taken up by one of the most influential and quantitatively gifted British economists of the century—Nicholas Kaldor, that bugbear of Berman’s. Idrees Kahloon, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022 The bugbear of the American Left, and false savior of nationalist conservatives, Viktor Orbán, won his fourth consecutive term. David Harsanyi, National Review, 4 Apr. 2022 Some ban the Times’ 1619 Project, or ethnic studies, or training in diversity, inclusion, and belonging, or the bugbear known as critical race theory. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2022 China now firmly occupies the position of Republican bugbear. Laura Jedeed, The New Republic, 26 Feb. 2022 See More Word History First Known Use 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 2a bugbear noun 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 Relevance dread bugaboo hobgoblin terror bête noire enemy plague ogre bogy bogey curse monster bogeyman demon phantom torment black beast spirit bogie specter ghost wraith bane spectre horror imp phantasm ghoul incubus spook bogyman horrible apparition poltergeist banshee fright scourge devil fiend fantasm anathema abomination daemon monstrosity shade 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 headache thorn nuisance problem frustration annoyance worry peeve irritant inconvenience irk rub exasperation vexation menace pest aggravation insult bother trial hassle discomfort curse aggro plague burden affront trouble ruffle anxiety botheration hair shirt predicament upset pinprick offender offence millstone plight albatross sore cross annoyer pet peeve fleabite disturber hang-up tribulation harasser offense mischief affliction pandora's box Antonyms & Near Antonyms pleasure joy delight
随便看	unmetrical unmewed unmewing unmews unmilitary unmilked unmilled unminded unmindful unmindfulnesses unmined unmingled unmingles unmingling unminished unministerial unminted unmiraculous unmirthful unmisgiving unmisgivingly unmissable unmissed unmistakable unmistakably

bugbear

noun

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Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun