bother

¹both·er

verb \ˈbä-thər\

both·eredboth·er·ing\ˈbäth-riŋ, ˈbä-thə-\

Definition of BOTHER

transitive verb

1

: to annoy especially by petty provocation : irk

2

: to intrude upon : pester

3

: to cause to be somewhat anxious or concerned <my stomach is bothering me> —often used interjectionally

intransitive verb

1

: to become concerned <wouldn't bother with details>

2

: to take pains : take the trouble <never bothered to ask>

Examples of BOTHER

1. He's so easygoing. Nothing seems to bother him.
2. Something he said at the meeting has been bothering me.
3. The entire car trip was filled with complaints like, “Mom, David keeps bothering me!” and “Will you tell him to quit bothering me?”.
4. Mother used to cook elaborate dinners, but with only herself to cook for, she doesn't bother anymore.
5. “Should I call later?” “No, don't bother.”
6. I'm not going to bother with the details.

Origin of BOTHER

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1728

Related to BOTHER

Synonyms: bug, chivy (or chivvy), disturb, intrude (upon), pester

Antonyms: calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Related Words: inconvenience, trouble; aggravate, annoy, bedevil, chafe, devil, dog, dun, exasperate, fret, gall, get, gnaw, grate, hassle, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rankle, rasp, rile, roil, torment, vex, worry; beleaguer, beset, besiege; distress, plague; afflict, harass, provoke; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, inflame (also enflame), infuriate, madden, outrage; agitate, perturb; butt in, cut in (on), obtrude; encroach, infringe, invade, trespass

Near Antonyms: disregard, forget, ignore, leave, slight; appease, conciliate, disarm, mollify, oblige, placate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; comfort, console, content

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See Synonym Discussion at annoy

Rhymes with BOTHER

father, pother