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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
This stuff has never really bothered me much but does any other sport deal with this to our level? Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 But carrots, along with most other root crops, are not bothered by these allelopathic compounds. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 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
  • These trends are causing 67% of the workforce to worry about the economy’s impact on their current jobs, according to the Workforce Pulse Survey from Remote.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Here’s why Indiana should be worried Putting Ekholm back with Bouchard on a full-time basis would give Edmonton a top pair with a strong record of dealing with the forecheck.
    The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The comedy as a second-class sibling to the drama is a notion that has annoyed the people who make television comedies for years.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 June 2025
  • In some cases, that will be obvious: You’ll get annoyed by weird or loud noises and odors, notice your energy bill has skyrocketed, or spot signs of a leak.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Create Do-Not-Disturb Prompts To Discourage Interruptions Experiment with reducing your availability to interruptions by following specific practices that signal to others you shouldn’t be disturbed.
    Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Perhaps your time off request isn’t approved, or your vacation plans have been disturbed by your colleagues.
    Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Though Clark may be out, the Fever still have a talented squad that can put up buckets in a hurry.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Rafael Nadal was a tennis warrior, to be sure: a competitive beast dripping with sweat and relentless in-the-moment ambition who could give the opposition a faraway gaze in a hurry.
    Christopher Clarey, Air Mail, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • The velocity of misinformation isn’t just a nuisance.
    Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Eating flaxseed might even ease menopausal symptoms, which—among its many other nuisances—can often include GI issues.
    Christina Pérez, Vogue, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Its stern warnings are scary and uncomfortable--the headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, body aches, clenched teeth or knots in your chest.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The viral TikTok video of the incident, while gaining traction elsewhere, only added to the frustration expressed by those in the thread.
    Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • What a Lee presidency might look like Yoon’s martial law decree had been in part fueled by his frustration over a months-long political stalemate, with Lee’s Democratic Party blocking the president from moving forward with many of his campaign promises and policies.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • After the picnic, the brother and sister have some fun by pestering a neighboring cat.
    Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • New York struggled with the pestering Indiana defense, leading to 17 turnovers as a team.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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