bothersome

adjective

both·​er·​some ˈbä-t͟hər-səm 

: causing bother : vexing

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• annoying
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pesky
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of bothersome in a Sentence

a bothersome habit of dropping trash on the floor right next to the garbage can

Recent Examples on the Web

Hand-pull after rain to easily remove both the bothersome foliage and the root system. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025

Three other patients also reported bothersome issues after taking Paxlovid, including tingling and gastrointestinal discomfort. —Pam Belluck, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Loading your audio article SAN JOSE — Sharks captain Logan Couture did everything in his power to become a full-time NHL player again, spending countless hours rehabilitating his bothersome groin injury and visiting several specialists on the East and West Coasts to find a solution. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025

Unpleasant things become less bothersome, and fun activities get less fun. —Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bothersome

adjective

both·​er·​some ˈbät͟h-ər-səm 

: causing bother