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
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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
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3
as in to fret
to experience concern or anxiety
just get the basic concept right and don't bother about the details
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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
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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
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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!
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3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
returning damaged goods is a real bother
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bother
Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
One question has bothered Martin Ludlow in his decades as a concert and event promoter in Los Angeles.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
The Edmonton Oilers reached the summer of 2025 in a spot of bother.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bother
Verb
One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
One question has bothered Martin Ludlow in his decades as a concert and event promoter in Los Angeles.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Enjoying an excellent day in front of a vociferous home support at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the 36-year-old found himself in a spot of bother when his tee shot at the par-four 11th curved into the rough on the right of the fairway.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
The Edmonton Oilers reached the summer of 2025 in a spot of bother.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
-
The rival bids have drawn scrutiny from antitrust experts and lawmakers, who worry that either death could reduce competition in an entertainment industry already dominated by streaming giants.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Some landowners worry the power lines could cross near their homes and ranches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In particular, you might be concerned or annoyed about financial issues with a friend or a group.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Here are two habits that often annoy people the most, and reliably signal that a partner is deeply invested in you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Taking place during the Christmas season, the film centers on a group of sorority sisters who are tormented by persistent, disturbing phone calls.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Kids comb case files, contact local authorities, and even interview a victim, all of which expose each young detective to disturbing images, ideas, and theories.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Paper towels are a household staple and for good reason—they're convenient, disposable, and perfect for tackling spills in a hurry.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
An adjustable toggle on the back can be tightened to lock in warmth and keep snow from getting in, while the front zipper makes these easy to slip on and off in a hurry.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Jody Allen should not appear on a list of the NFL’s biggest nuisances.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The agent’s ability to boost productivity is obvious as users offload tedious nuisances to Moltbot, helping to realize the dream of AI evangelists.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Think peachy-bright, brunchy, and a little flirty without the headache.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sonny Fouts, 71, has had a headache, stomachache and trouble sleeping since seeing news reports that the 37-year-old ICU nurse had been fatally shot by ICE agents Saturday, the vet and retired musician told People.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Republicans argue the region’s frustrations reflect years of structural failures under Cooper’s disaster management system, stretching back to earlier storms.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Dane may well share his captain’s frustration at the lack of January signings, but Romero surely cannot repeatedly publicly criticise Spurs and escape punishment.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rori Harmon and Jordan Lee led a defense that persistently pestered Gators guard Liv McGill, who entered the game as the SEC's second-leading scorer, in a 6-for-16 shooting performance that included nine of Florida's 21 turnovers.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
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Just four years and five cycles into the Hughes and Gorton era in Montreal – an identical timeline to what the Canucks have gone through with Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin — the Canadiens are a playoff-calibre team, with the offensive juice to pester a Cup contender in the postseason.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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