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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bother differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bother are annoy, irk, and vex. While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.

don't bother me while I'm reading

In what contexts can annoy take the place of bother?

The words annoy and bother are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.

their constant complaining annoys us

When can irk be used instead of bother?

Although the words irk and bother have much in common, irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.

careless waste irks the boss

When is it sensible to use vex instead of bother?

The synonyms vex and bother are sometimes interchangeable, but vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.

vexed by her son's failure to clean his room

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bother
Verb
This stuff has never really bothered me much but does any other sport deal with this to our level? Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 June 2025 But carrots, along with most other root crops, are not bothered by these allelopathic compounds. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2025
Noun
Here’s the scoop on the tastiest kid-friendly crackers that all but guarantee happy snackers, and the crackers that aren’t worth the bother. Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025 Which team’s pass rush bothers or contains the other QB more effectively might tip this result. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
  • But school officials across the country worry that making lawsuits easier to win will create a more adversarial relationship between parents and schools in the difficult negotiations needed to balance a student’s needs with a school’s limited resources.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • Don’t worry about honking horns and urban hubbub, either: Even on the lower floors, the soundproofing is superb and the hotel seems insulated from the outside world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The comedy as a second-class sibling to the drama is a notion that has annoyed the people who make television comedies for years.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 June 2025
  • In some cases, that will be obvious: You’ll get annoyed by weird or loud noises and odors, notice your energy bill has skyrocketed, or spot signs of a leak.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Many more are disturbed by the politicization of churches and turned off by dogmas that promote hate and discord, finding religious teachings and traditions to be outdated and incompatible with their values.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
  • Later, her sister-in-law texts her, upset that her children were disturbed by her departure.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Though Clark may be out, the Fever still have a talented squad that can put up buckets in a hurry.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Rafael Nadal was a tennis warrior, to be sure: a competitive beast dripping with sweat and relentless in-the-moment ambition who could give the opposition a faraway gaze in a hurry.
    Christopher Clarey, Air Mail, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • The velocity of misinformation isn’t just a nuisance.
    Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Eating flaxseed might even ease menopausal symptoms, which—among its many other nuisances—can often include GI issues.
    Christina Pérez, Vogue, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • This is just the wrong place for trash fees to be charged and is pretty much guaranteed to create massive headaches for homeowners.
    Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
  • Bringing a pet to the vet's office for an appointment can often cause owners headaches, but one woman's chaotic experience left the internet in stitches.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • His populist messaging and anti-establishment persona align with many voters’ frustrations with Washington, the Federal Reserve, and legacy media.
    Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • As the pressure from the field grew, Burns showed signs of frustration.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Schroder, with his hounding pressure, continues to pester opposing guards.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • After the picnic, the brother and sister have some fun by pestering a neighboring cat.
    Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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