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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Or when Reggie purposefully annoys Arthur by having his son, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall), practice with his a cappella group in Arthur’s editing suite, a move that demonstrates the increasingly teasing affection between Arthur and Reggie.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 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
-
Jessica Klein, a researcher with the center, worries about the consequences.—
Taylor Sisk,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Drought usually peaks in summer, not spring, and that’s what worries meteorologists.—
Seth Borenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Leo moon disturbs unconscious patterns that are ready to be interrupted.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
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
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
-
The event’s ticket policies are also a common point of discussion, one that causes frequent headaches and confusion for organizers and fans alike.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The war also caused gasoline and diesel prices to surge, causing further headaches for farmers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Teenagers scaled Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge and blasted revolutionary anthems by artists whose songs captured young people’s frustrations with the regime.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Brown voiced his frustrations with the Eagles’ passing offense during the regular season, then engaged in a screaming match with Sirianni during Philadelphia’s first-round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2026.
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