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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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
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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
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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
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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!
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
The state party chairman responded that his letter was not aimed at any specific candidate, and that he was not bothered that most candidates did not heed his call to exit the race.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Greg Cote
february 5, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The gun violence killed 10-year-old Jordan Garcia and 21-year-old Kiyah Mae Scott and injured three other people, including Garcia's 11-year-old bother, according to Essex County prosecutors.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bother
Verb
This is the attention economy, and with media companies all squeezed and at war, who has the money to bother with anything long?
—Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
The state party chairman responded that his letter was not aimed at any specific candidate, and that he was not bothered that most candidates did not heed his call to exit the race.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
The sobriety mandate will be good for your guests’ health while also sparing you the bother of hosting future Super Bowl parties.
—Greg Cote
february 5, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The gun violence killed 10-year-old Jordan Garcia and 21-year-old Kiyah Mae Scott and injured three other people, including Garcia's 11-year-old bother, according to Essex County prosecutors.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
-
Don’t worry too much about things being perfect, either.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Ukraine’s top sanctions adviser is worried the mountain of restrictions piled against Russia’s oil and gas industry since 2022 is close to crumbling under the weight of soaring global oil prices.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Asked if that would annoy and possibly anger Texas Republicans who backed Paxton, Minchillo said.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Still, the loss of 4K support will no doubt annoy streamers.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Others, like a night spent with an older villager, don’t add much and disturb the film’s lyrical rhythm.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And with a noise level under 60 dB, the K1 is quiet enough for regular daytime operation without disturbing neighbors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kellner grounds into another double play, bringing up the seventh in a hurry.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Boozer had the presence of mind, though, to get his own rebound off the block and pass the ball back out to his brother rather than trying to throw up another shot in a hurry.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Like the dead leaves piling up on the driveway, Darryl is often unlikeable, or seen as simply a nuisance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The lawsuit accused Sacramento of creating a public nuisance and violating a Fish and Game Code section prohibiting polluting California’s waters.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One month into the partial government shutdown, hundreds of Transportation Security Administration workers going without full pay have quit, while others have taken unscheduled time off, prompting more travel headaches as a winter storm slams the Midwest and spring break travelers try to fly.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Sweating due to high heat can lead to dehydration, causing dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and other symptoms.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If anything, the frustration is that everybody wanted it sooner.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Impatience or frustration could jump out.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a game where the Stars smashed the Oilers, Hryckowian was pestering Edmonton players all night en route to drawing four penalties.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But this is now a 20-game stint of pestering Knicks defense — with no example better than during Sunday’s 25-point takedown of the San Antonio Spurs.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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