1
as in to worry
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
I am never going to get this work done if people don't stop wandering into the room and bothering me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
it bothers me when obviously sick people go to movies and spend the whole time coughing and sneezing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fret
to experience concern or anxiety
just get the basic concept right and don't bother about the details
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the boss's cryptic message about changes to the company bothered me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hurry
a state of noisy, confused activity
the whole household was in a bother, as our overnight guests were expected to arrive any minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisance
one who is obnoxiously annoying
the woman next-door is such a bother—always dropping in at the most inopportune moments!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
returning damaged goods is a real bother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in frustration
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts
never let his personal bothers interfere with his responsibilities at work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
In some cases, these kinds of candidates have not even bothered to vote, let alone hold public office.
—Garry South, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Peter Cappelli, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
If even a die-hard Huppert admirer like me has trouble getting through it, why would a casual cinephile bother?
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bother
Verb
Even if he’s never bothered to pause and consider it.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
In some cases, these kinds of candidates have not even bothered to vote, let alone hold public office.
—Garry South, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Noun
Experts have a long history of torturing us with predictions about how technology will wipe us out, first our jobs and then just getting rid of us altogether because humans are a bother.
—Peter Cappelli, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
If even a die-hard Huppert admirer like me has trouble getting through it, why would a casual cinephile bother?
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
-
Helen worried about Pip’s socialization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The results will ease the concerns of some Democrats who worried about the possibility of a runoff between Kiley and Republican candidate Michael Stansfield, who was in second place until Friday.—
Mathew Miranda
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Rather than be annoyed, however, both Zach and Kayda seem to mostly welcome Bryce’s presence, all three of them bonded.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Americans might be annoyed at how they’re portrayed.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The zoo says that the facility would be about 50 yards from some of its animals and that the noise could disturb its residents, including a leap of leopards that hail originally from Southeast Asia.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
-
The lawsuit filed Thursday by Karen Read against Massachusetts State Police and Canton Police revealed a long history of disturbing text messages between former police officers Michael Proctor and Sean Goode that allegedly included racial slurs, sexist comments and other offensive material.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Options trading in the fund has turned bearish in a hurry and is now pointing toward further downside.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
-
Sure, there are lots of places, but all of the best ones fill up in a hurry.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
And even then, referees seemed to regard injuries as nuisances that stopped the flow of the game.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
As Part 108 and other advances allow autonomous drones to surge, regulators will also have to consider public concerns about privacy, malicious actions and nuisance.—
Agamemnon Crassidis,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Lyme disease, causing a fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
-
Persistent headaches, scratchy throats and that foggy, fatigued feeling that never quite lifts may not be a virus or seasonal pollen.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Those frustrations turned to elation last summer when not only did Uzbekistan finally qualify, but did so with a game to spare when edging out the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in their group.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Bonner brought the bull market with him to CSUF, bringing his pressing, pestering and passionate style of play to a fanbase starved for success.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
The character, Günter Van Ellis (Ivan Sherry), is seen pestering Oh Father (Daveed Diggs) and Homelander at the White House.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
