Synonyms of bore

bore 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈbȯr 

1

as in to drill

to make a hole or series of holes in

some woodpecker bored holes in our tree in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drill
• pierce
• punch
• poke
• puncture
• hole
• perforate
• tap
• cut
• penetrate
• riddle
• prick
• hollow
• broach
• break
• gouge
• excavate
• split
• slit
• slash
• rupture
• groove
• prickle
• rend
• notch
• burrow (into)
• gash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill
• patch
• seal
• plug

2

as in to push

to force one's way

with some effort, she bored through the throng of yelling protestors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• push
• squeeze
• bull
• elbow
• shove
• muscle
• shoulder
• press
• thrust
• jam
• crash
• jostle
• bulldoze
• ram

bore

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to weary

to make weary and restless by being dull or monotonous

the professor's lifeless and unimaginative teaching style bored the students to death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weary
• tire
• drain
• wear
• exhaust
• discourage
• put to sleep
• jade
• pall
• burn out
• fatigue
• wear out
• debilitate
• enervate
• dishearten
• wash out
• enfeeble
• disable
• tucker (out)
• deject
• demoralize
• fag
• dispirit
• do in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• busy
• engage
• interest
• grip
• absorb
• excite
• stimulate
• strengthen
• fascinate
• entertain
• amuse
• attract
• intrigue
• activate
• enliven
• animate
• energize
• galvanize
• invigorate
• charm
• engross
• occupy
• involve
• busy
• monopolize
• enthrall
• beguile
• captivate
• vitalize
• stir
• immerse
• rouse
• hypnotize
• bewitch
• enchant
• mesmerize
• preoccupy
• allure
• rally
• pump up

bore

3 of 3

noun

as in yawn

someone or something boring

for once, the graduation speaker wasn't a real bore

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yawn
• drip
• drag
• snooze
• yawner
• snoozer
• dullsville
• droner
• downer
• nudnik
• pill
• bromide
• bummer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blast
• rush
• gas
• upper
• kick

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bore

Verb

Early on, Daunt flagged that Barnes & Noble—like Waterstones before it—suffered from uniformity that bored customers. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

The Senators are trying to reach a compromise with the Big Ten and SEC on about 270 different passages in the bill, most of which would bore you to tears. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Noun

Breaking it down by item type, 80 percent of scarves 54 percent of tops, 25 percent of baby clothing, 13 percent of activewear and 14 percent of sleep wear bore inaccurate labels. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

Blanca Quinonez knows only one way to play, with full- bore, hit-the-floor intensity. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026