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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bother differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bother are annoy, irk, and vex. While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.

don't bother me while I'm reading

In what contexts can annoy take the place of bother?

The words annoy and bother are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.

their constant complaining annoys us

When can irk be used instead of bother?

Although the words irk and bother have much in common, irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.

careless waste irks the boss

When is it sensible to use vex instead of bother?

The synonyms vex and bother are sometimes interchangeable, but vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.

vexed by her son's failure to clean his room

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bother
Verb
Granular or liquid organic formulations are best (don’t bother with spikes or foliar sprays now). Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025 Nuzzo also worried that states might be reluctant in the future to share data with the federal government, or might decide not to bother collecting certain data at all. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
Holloway and Broberg could be on a new team by this time next week, and the Oilers are officially in a spot of bother. Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024 Taylor Swift's brother Austin came to the rescue after a fan got into a spot of bother with security staff at one of his sister's shows. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bother 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
  • Because everything was included, all my son and I had to worry about was what to do and when to eat.
    Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Economists have warned that a wide-scale trade war could significantly raise prices, and consumers appear to be worried as well.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • At first, he is annoyed by mundane details like listening to the same song or ordering the same breakfast.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Though visibly annoyed, the driver asked the OP to move.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The following story contains graphic language that may disturb some readers.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Warren called his sister and was disturbed by their short conversation.
    Johnny Dodd, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In high school sports, things can change in a hurry.
    Todd Abeln, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Thursday night, a tie game after the first period turned one-sided in a hurry, as the Seattle Kraken scored four goals in less than six minutes and cruised to a 6-2 win at Climate Pledge Arena.
    Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Finally, Paddington graduates from nuisance to pathfinder, from struggling to fit in to forging his own identity.
    Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
  • What is known is that the area of the attack had been frequently monitored by animal control authorities as a problematic zone where one or more dogs have been reported as being a nuisance or possible danger to the public, dating back to February 2023.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The parasites' arrival in the central nervous system is often marked by a headache.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2025
  • But the unusual dismissal order comes with strings attached that could cause continued legal headaches for Adams and put pressure on him to do more to help Trump’s administration with immigration enforcement, experts, including former federal prosecutors and judges, told the Daily News on Tuesday.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The meeting created a lot of anxiety and frustration in the Ukrainian government, which is concerned about a U.S.-Russian deal behind Kyiv's back.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 16 Feb. 2025
  • But as Dougherty Valley continued to miss shots, the frustration started to show.
    Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The 31-year-old forward has brought a toughness and physicality the group needed by committing hard fouls (on and off the ball), pestering opponents and making things difficult for them.
    Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Well, a February study also by Isabelle Laumer and colleagues found that great apes like to tease, poke and pester each other too.
    Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near bother

Cite this Entry

“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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