1
as in annoys
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 irritates
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 worries
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 disturbs
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 stirs
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 nuisances
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 headaches
something that is a source of irritation
returning damaged goods is a real bother
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4
as in frustrations
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
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Recent Examples of bothers
Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The political rhetoric aimed at ridiculing Canada bothers Johnson.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
What really bothers me is when companies pay a lot of money for mediocrity, and that happens all too often.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
That notion clearly bothers Schoen and the organization.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
One thing that bothers him, though, is the calls from GVA asking for cash to shore up financing on the underwater properties as loan rates skyrocketed and monthly debt servicing led to losses.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Most people are able to put the splint away once their plantar fasciitis no longer bothers them.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Kyle comes in late and bothers Amanda for an eye mask.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
People don’t think this bothers me.
—Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
His approach is to look at what bothers that person the most.
—Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The political rhetoric aimed at ridiculing Canada bothers Johnson.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
What really bothers me is when companies pay a lot of money for mediocrity, and that happens all too often.
—Alex Crippen, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026
That notion clearly bothers Schoen and the organization.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
One thing that bothers him, though, is the calls from GVA asking for cash to shore up financing on the underwater properties as loan rates skyrocketed and monthly debt servicing led to losses.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Most people are able to put the splint away once their plantar fasciitis no longer bothers them.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Kyle comes in late and bothers Amanda for an eye mask.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
People don’t think this bothers me.
—Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bothers
Verb
-
What is the pettiest thing that annoys you during a race weekend?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Think of something that annoys you, connect it to masculinity by adding bro, and proceed as though that bro were a category of person.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Castor Oil Castor oil irritates the digestive system of the moles and makes the soil less inviting to them.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Weed pollen typically irritates people in the late summer and early fall.—
Seth Jacobson,
wickedlocal.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wade reportedly worries audiences may think her performances are imitating an idea Swift created due to the 14-time Grammy Award winning singer’s enormous popularity.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Much of what the farms sell is on contract with prices already set, which means those costs will have to be absorbed for now, said Parra, who worries many state crops could see lower sales as prices eventually rise in markets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Removing nodules from the ocean floor disturbs the silty seabed that's home to many organisms, like worms and small crustaceans, the scientists found.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Dethatching disturbs the soil surface, which can trigger dormant weed seeds to sprout.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The end of the hibernation period in spring brings new bat movement, which means more nuisances for homes with roosts.—
Caden Perry,
jsonline.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Florida law shields shooting ranges, specifically, from being sued as nuisances.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This assortment also offers pain relief solutions from head to toe for headaches, bunion support and more, plus wellness hacks from a tongue scraper to compression gear.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to vomiting blood, Chris also has suffered from nose bleeds, headaches, chest pain and weakness.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The most common complaints from Hers reviewers on Trustpilot and the BBB involve frustrations around figuring out how to cancel a subscription, shipping delays and the strict return policy (with refunds rarely given).—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Murphy has vented frustrations about Congress taking a back seat since the initial strikes against Iran started a month ago, despite the body’s constitutional authority to declare war.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All-American Madison Booker thrives in the midrange, while senior Rori Harmon pesters along the perimeter and Jordan Lee spots up for buckets.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As the gang is gearing up for this fight, Mike pesters Will to the point that all the latter can do is roll his eyes.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bothers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bothers. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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