1
as in to worry
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
I am never going to get this work done if people don't stop wandering into the room and bothering me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
it bothers me when obviously sick people go to movies and spend the whole time coughing and sneezing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fret
to experience concern or anxiety
just get the basic concept right and don't bother about the details
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4
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the boss's cryptic message about changes to the company bothered me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hurry
a state of noisy, confused activity
the whole household was in a bother, as our overnight guests were expected to arrive any minute
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
the woman next-door is such a bother—always dropping in at the most inopportune moments!
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3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
returning damaged goods is a real bother
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4
as in frustration
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts
never let his personal bothers interfere with his responsibilities at work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of bother
Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
These low-maintenance beauties are drought-tolerant once established and are not bothered by deer.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Peter Cappelli, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
If even a die-hard Huppert admirer like me has trouble getting through it, why would a casual cinephile bother?
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bother
Verb
What about those who don’t bother to separate the organics or recyclables?
—Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
These low-maintenance beauties are drought-tolerant once established and are not bothered by deer.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Noun
Experts have a long history of torturing us with predictions about how technology will wipe us out, first our jobs and then just getting rid of us altogether because humans are a bother.
—Peter Cappelli, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
If even a die-hard Huppert admirer like me has trouble getting through it, why would a casual cinephile bother?
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
-
Anxiety remained high among the school’s teachers and social workers, who worried about sending students away for the break.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
My life was in all regards unclouded, sans care or worry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
First, even leaving aside the long build-time, there is a tortuous regulatory maze that has to be navigated that seems like something the Greek gods devised to annoy Odysseus.—
David Szondy
May 24,
New Atlas,
24 May 2026
-
When people get their interest rate wrong, they get annoyed.—
Sam Sammane,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Against the photographic realism of Paglen and Burtynsky, a sleeker subset of work risks rendering seductive that which ought to disturb us.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
-
The idea that there can be any kind of misalignment between them, though, disturbs her.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
But Hischier also needs to hear all the right things from the new GM as far as getting New Jersey looking like a contender in a hurry.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
One shot, one moment can change everything in a hurry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Plaskolite was cited for causing a public nuisance, according to AQMD documents.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
When to See a Doctor For the vast majority of new parents, dry skin is a temporary, frustrating nuisance that resolves as your hormones stabilize and your body adjusts to its new rhythm.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Pilgrims describe Hajj as a once-in-a-lifetime obligation that transcends politics, justifying high costs, logistical headaches and security fears.—
Mariam Fam,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
Inhaling that vapor can cause damage, including irritation to the eyes and nose, respiratory tract and lungs, bringing on symptoms like sore throats, runny noses, itching and burning eyes, dizziness, headaches and nausea.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Footage of the game then showed George hobbling back to the dugout, slamming his helmet in frustration.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Then came a second, minor concussion in the Broncos’ wild-card matchup against the Bills, with Bryant trudging to the locker room in frustration after a monster opening quarter.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The character, Günter Van Ellis (Ivan Sherry), is seen pestering Oh Father (Daveed Diggs) and Homelander at the White House.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
-
Fudd played some solid defense early with a quick steal and spent some time pestering Clark.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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