as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
one more bothering, and I'm going to kick you out of here
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in worrying
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bugging
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 fearing
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 distracting
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bothering
Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
If certain smells or experiences are bothering you, here are some other tips for managing postpartum odor and sweat.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 28 May 2026
The tears then started to flow, as Zheng took deep breaths and explained that the foot issue was to reapply tape to a foot blister that had been bothering her.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 25 May 2026
At the same time, the regime has stopped bothering to sell a narrative of national restoration or modernization to the rest of the country, which is losing enormous amounts of blood and treasure in the battlefields of Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Now the dog is back to bothering her brother and showing off her sassy personality.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Tell him that his approach to the trip is bothering you.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 2 May 2026
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.
—CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Brunson turned on the boosters in the second half, attacking the Spurs' defense and showing little sign that his knee was bothering him.
—Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
If certain smells or experiences are bothering you, here are some other tips for managing postpartum odor and sweat.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 28 May 2026
The tears then started to flow, as Zheng took deep breaths and explained that the foot issue was to reapply tape to a foot blister that had been bothering her.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 25 May 2026
At the same time, the regime has stopped bothering to sell a narrative of national restoration or modernization to the rest of the country, which is losing enormous amounts of blood and treasure in the battlefields of Ukraine.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Now the dog is back to bothering her brother and showing off her sassy personality.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Tell him that his approach to the trip is bothering you.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 2 May 2026
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.
—CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bothering
Noun
-
But instead of quietly dispersing, patrons and neighborhood residents resisted, sparking several nights of demonstrations that crystallized growing frustration with discrimination and police harassment.—
Diana Rodriguez,
Time,
8 June 2026
-
The other lawsuit accuses the sheriff's office of similar hiring practices and harassment for speaking up.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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But if your concerned friend starts worrying about AI data centers literally causing a worldwide water catastrophe, the actual numbers involved should hopefully put those worries to rest.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
-
The Hornets can outbid any other team in total dollars, length and yearly bumps without worrying about the cap number.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Get clear about what’s bugging you.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The formal obligation to bow or curtsy will force targets to bend a knee and break eye contact—a perfect opening for the President to place something distracting like a Twix bar on their heads.—
Dahlia Gallin Ramirez,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
-
Reid plays this so well, but the direction is a little over the top, with drug-trip visuals that are too distracting to follow the dense-as-ever disjointed narration.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Two teens detained in Lee’s Summit In Lee’s Summit, police spent nearly two hours breaking up a series of incidents and disturbances involving teenagers at the city’s Downtown Days festival Saturday night.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
-
Oriyomi was issued a trespass warning and allegedly caused a disturbance by recording officers with his phone before leaving the airport, per court documents.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.—
Tyler Hayes,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2026
Verb
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How to avoid chiggers Aside from the potential risk of anaphylactic allergy and severe illness, chiggers are, well, irritating.—
Eva Flowe
June 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
When pouring perlite out of the bag, wear a mask and eye protection to prevent any dust that floats in the air from irritating your eyes, nose, or throat.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Verb
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And some of the capabilities that these models have to access systems, not only federal government systems, but financial systems, is very concerning to us.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
With remote attacks, employees receive emails concerning invoices or data migrations.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bothering. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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