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
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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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bother
Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025
Evans says the discovery of grain stores has allowed scientists to understand that ancient Egyptians were bothered by grain pests such as weevils.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024
Taylor Swift's brother Austin came to the rescue after a fan got into a spot of bother with security staff at one of his sister's shows.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bother
Verb
This is the lesson of Gilda Radner’s too-short life: For God’s sake, don’t bother with fear.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2025
Evans says the discovery of grain stores has allowed scientists to understand that ancient Egyptians were bothered by grain pests such as weevils.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
Holloway and Broberg could be on a new team by this time next week, and the Oilers are officially in a spot of bother.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024
Taylor Swift's brother Austin came to the rescue after a fan got into a spot of bother with security staff at one of his sister's shows.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
-
Economists worry that the tariffs could spark another round of inflation at a time when the Federal Reserve is considering whether to lower interest rates further or hold steady as policymakers weigh the impact of Trump’s aggressive fiscal and trade policy moves.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Some worry the ongoing turbulence could distract from some of the most pressing public health threats on our doorstep, including bird flu and measles.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
There was nothing quite like watching Ted win the hearts of everyone around him, from the woman who literally set him up to fail, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) to the ready-to-retire and always annoyed Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Feb. 2025
-
He's heard perhaps the university chancellor at the time of the formula's creation annoyed the wrong person, and UW-Whitewater has been shorted ever since.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
Journal Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The following story contains graphic language that may disturb some readers.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Warren called his sister and was disturbed by their short conversation.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Trying to implement changes in a hurry can have disastrous results.—
Stephanie Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
-
As Musk says, EVs (and hybrids) are coming on strong across the globe, and if the president takes serious action against them, U.S. automakers will become uncompetitive in a hurry.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Finally, Paddington graduates from nuisance to pathfinder, from struggling to fit in to forging his own identity.—
Natalia Winkelman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
-
What is known is that the area of the attack had been frequently monitored by animal control authorities as a problematic zone where one or more dogs have been reported as being a nuisance or possible danger to the public, dating back to February 2023.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The parasites' arrival in the central nervous system is often marked by a headache.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Your child shows physical signs of stress like frequent headaches, stomachaches, or changes in appetite.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The meeting created a lot of anxiety and frustration in the Ukrainian government, which is concerned about a U.S.-Russian deal behind Kyiv's back.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
16 Feb. 2025
-
But as Dougherty Valley continued to miss shots, the frustration started to show.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Ravens’ defense is also a solid unit that can pester any offense, even if it is led by Mahomes and schemed by head coach Andy Reid.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
5 Sep. 2024
-
The 31-year-old forward has brought a toughness and physicality the group needed by committing hard fouls (on and off the ball), pestering opponents and making things difficult for them.—
Jovan Buha,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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