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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
The newest stunner from Aston is not just incrementally more beautiful and powerful, but many of the kinks that bothered us when the coupe launched have been ironed out. Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 12 May 2025 The point is, this franchise keeps elevating women to positions of power without bothering to write compelling personalities and backstories and motivations for them. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Noun
Here’s the scoop on the tastiest kid-friendly crackers that all but guarantee happy snackers, and the crackers that aren’t worth the bother. Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025 Which team’s pass rush bothers or contains the other QB more effectively might tip this result. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
  • Given the historical biases in hiring practices, many job seekers worry that AI might perpetuate or even amplify these biases.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • One thing Salmon didn’t have to worry about before Monday’s game was having support.
    Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • But until Tuesday afternoon, four days out, there had been no announcement of what acts would be performing, or even where the show would be held The radio silence annoyed fans, who said so online.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
  • Nearly one-half of Republicans (52%) are annoyed with how much attention is being paid to climate change vs. only 13% for Democrats.
    Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • These days, there’s no shortage of packable, lightweight sleeping pads to make sure no peas (or pebbles) ever disturb your slumber on your next backpacking trip.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 11 May 2025
  • Both of these albums were born at a time when outside factors disturbed their peace.
    Alex Gonzalez, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • That will change in a hurry if the Tar Heels win, of course.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • And with good reason; the scenes depicted in the film still pack a punch in 2025, and the like won’t be seen again in a hurry.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Resurging opposition to fluoridation — the practice of adding fluoride to public water systems at safe levels to prevent tooth decay — has been a nuisance for dentists, researchers and public health experts.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 12 May 2025
  • How to get rid of gnats Generally, gnats are more of a nuisance than an actual threat to humans.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • But string and yarn can become a headache for owners if their cats get their paws on it, which is exactly what happened to TikTok user @healingat40.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • That outage effectively shut down one of the nation’s busiest airports for approximately two hours, and led to days of cancellations, delays and headaches for travelers.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The night was maddening enough that, after the sixth inning, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior was ejected for expressing his frustration with home-plate umpire Jeremie Rehak’s strike zone — the first ejection of Prior’s baseball life.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • Particularly if Devers' frustration in Boston grows.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Alex Caruso, the Thunder’s Chihuahua yapping up the Nuggets’ trees, pestered Aaron Gordon in search of a desperation turnover.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
  • Also fitting that description is Schröder, whose hounding defense continues to pester opposing point guards.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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