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
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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
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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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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
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
The loss is what bothers me most.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Jan. 2026
At one point, Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios defendants, asked Lively if negative publicity bothers her.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
That relentless competence obviously drives people crazy, but the other part that bothers opposing fans is the understanding that their clubs could do more.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
The loss is what bothers me most.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Jan. 2026
At one point, Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios defendants, asked Lively if negative publicity bothers her.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
That relentless competence obviously drives people crazy, but the other part that bothers opposing fans is the understanding that their clubs could do more.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 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,
5 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
-
If something irritates you, the Aries moon encourages you to speak up.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
There’s another distinctly New York habit that irritates Manville — at the end of the performances, theatergoers leap to their feat, not just to applaud, but to whip out their cellphones to record the curtain call.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But worries about a potentially slowing economy are pulling downward at the same time.—
Matt Ott,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
But what worries me a little bit more is that some of the professionals at embassies and consuls are not being told to come home.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dethatching disturbs the soil surface, which can trigger dormant weed seeds to sprout.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The work that disturbs the most is of a translucent man.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
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Property owners who tolerate habitual nuisances will have to meet certain standards set by the city and pay fees to reimburse the city for enforcement resources.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Patients can also experience fever, headaches and body aches.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Donor requests for internships for their family members also led to overcrowding in the office and logistical headaches for schedulers, one former staffer said.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some employees publicly expressed their frustrations.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Some residents expressed their frustrations about the small town’s few voting locations and how the new primary voting location policies might push people away.—
From Staff Reports,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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 12 Mar. 2026.
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