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
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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
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3
as in to fret
to experience concern or anxiety
just get the basic concept right and don't bother about the details
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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
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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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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!
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3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
returning damaged goods is a real bother
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bother
Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Hollywood CEOs aren’t getting hot and bothered about using AI to completely replace real-life movie stars; the guilds wouldn’t allow it, and audiences wouldn’t want it.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 July 2025
The founding family got in a spot of financial bother in the late 1960s and the company's employees formed a cooperative to take ownership of Orbea.
—New Atlas, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bother
Verb
These are more prone to wrinkling than other weaves, so plan to remove them promptly from the dryer after washing (or iron them) if wrinkles bother you.
—Noun
The Edmonton Oilers reached the summer of 2025 in a spot of bother.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
-
Paster is not worried in the slightest.—
-
The proposal is a concern for many council members, who worry that such an amendment, if approved, could jeopardize their positions.—
Verb
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She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
-
Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Verb
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Rose tells Shaw that her community is concerned about sacred remains being disturbed.—
-
The 34-year-old appeared to have deactivated her X account after disturbing posts on her account resurfaced online.—
Noun
-
The Hurricanes did apply pressure, recording six quarterback hurries, but wasn’t able to finish those plays.—
-
This one starts with that shelter imploding under the strength of a massive radiation storm that displaces the Garrity clan in a hurry, and leaves them on a lifeboat to Europe in the wretched hope that someone on the continent will offer them a safe place to plant new roots.—
Noun
-
An Orange County judge granted the city of Santa Ana’s request for a preliminary injunction against several businesses on East First Street accused of being public nuisances.—
-
According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also a public health concern, capable of carrying diseases like West Nile virus.—
Noun
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The illness tends to come on abruptly, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, headaches and fatigue.—
-
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Noun
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British officials downplayed the pause as temporary, insisting momentum would resume amid complex negotiations, but the impasse signals broader frustrations with Europe’s regulatory posture toward American innovation, market access, and economic sovereignty.—
-
Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
Verb
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The strengths that those same opponents will spend long hours trying to account for — Nix’s pestering speed, a relentless pass-rush that produced a franchise-record 68 sacks, including four of Lance — aren’t changing either.—
-
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.—
Cite this Entry
“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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