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noun

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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
Do the Blue Jays even bother pitching to Ohtani again in this game? Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025 Berwald isn't alone in being bothered by misbehaving kids at breweries. Jordyn Noennig, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
But, in Los Alamitos, the troop presence hasn’t been a bother for the surrounding community, Hasselbrink said. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 8 July 2025 Indeed, the dog didn't seem to have any problems moving with the crate around him, even managing to change direction without bother. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
  • More broadly, the NBA has expressed concern about prop bets, while other sports leagues have worried about the potential for manipulation.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The situation could be taken as concerning for Alonso, given the precedents of previous Madrid coaches who have tried to impose a certain style of play, or who otherwise annoy superstar players used to having things more their own way.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • One report, citing a source close to Sheridan, even claimed the writer was annoyed that Paramount sent too many of its top suits to a meeting designed to keep Sheridan onboard, arguing that Ellison had messed up by bringing more than two execs along with him.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • A lot of disturbing things happened in The Exorcist — Regan MacNeil's 360 neck turn remains one of the most diabolical things to happen on film — and for its innovations, the 1973 movie scored 10 Oscar nominations.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Unfortunately, to save time, someone who is always in a hurry with limited time for exercise except weekends may be in the habit of leaping into vigorous exercise without warming up properly.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Christian Barmore led with four hurries and Milton Williams had three, but Gabriel was hit just twice.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In Shea Carney's house, those beverage bottles and cans eligible for a 10-cent deposit return have become more of a nuisance than a useful income boost.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • South Milwaukee requires exotic or wild animal owners to get a permit from the City Health Department, which can be denied if the animal poses a danger or nuisance.
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Among the opponents are some residents of Alton Road, who say that gating off North Bay Road would worsen the city’s already substantial traffic problems and create headaches for people trying to access their homes.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Utilities were stuck with the headache and expense of storing waste themselves, so in 2014, a judge forbade the federal government from continuing to collect the NWF fees.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With appointment supporters in the majority, Canepa expressed frustration.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Now, Kiya Tomlin’s journey into fashion started with frustration.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • On possession after possession, González picked up Brunson full court and tried his best to pester the Knicks star.
    Jay King, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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