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
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025
And she couldn’t be bothered to start things up again.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
But he was bothered by pain in his left knee and lasted just two innings while allowing two runs on four hits and two walks.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025
And she couldn’t be bothered to start things up again.
—Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 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
-
Wildfire worries With the worsening drought comes worries over wildfires.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The airline's fall from grace should worry anyone with loyalty to the brand.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Don't push sales and annoy people.—
Nitin Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Comments about my fast walk annoy me.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Someone in a hurry could skim the key points, while others could dive into detailed FAQs and links to studies.—
Kristine Johnson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to his pass coverage, which includes a pair of pass breakups, Scott also has three tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to the California Penal Code, a nuisance can be charged as a misdemeanor.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The recent interference with the European Commission President’s aircraft showed how quickly GPS denial can shift from nuisance to geopolitical signal.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In a recent study by Climate Rights International, workers spoke of experiencing excessive sweating, headaches, fever, nausea, heat palpitations, dehydration and temporary vision loss.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Soldiers reported headaches and nausea, leading Congress to cut funding in 2022.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There have been frustrations over how long the process has taken, with the leadership uncertainty further complicated by the exit of CEO Alex Mahon over the summer.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Poor Harriet, a gallery assistant who has been harassed since the pilot, gets the brunt of Laura’s frustration.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Williams missed four games last year from a hamstring strain that pestered him throughout the season.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share