bugbear

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: bug-bear

Antonyms: bug-bear

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. An [[ongoing]] [[problem]]; a [[recurring]] [[obstacle]] or [[adversity]].
2. A source of [[dread]]; [[resentment]]; or [[irritation]]. {{defdate|from late 16th c.}}
3. {{lb|en|folklore|fantasy}} A generic creature, often described as a large [[goblin]], meant to inspire fear in children.

Verb

1. {{lb|en|transitive}} To [[alarm]] with [[idle]] [[phantom]]s. {{rfclarify|en}}

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.