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
- He's so easygoing. Nothing seems to bother him.
- Something he said at the meeting has been bothering me.
- The entire car trip was filled with complaints like, “Mom, David keeps bothering me!” and “Will you tell him to quit bothering me?”.
- Mother used to cook elaborate dinners, but with only herself to cook for, she doesn't bother anymore.
- “Should I call later?” “No, don't bother.”
- I'm not going to bother with the details.
Origin of BOTHER
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1728
Related to BOTHER
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
See Synonym Discussion at annoy
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