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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
But if Trump really had been involved, why would his opponents bother making up a Russiagate scandal? Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 Speaking with a reporter outside the Capitol building later in the day, Massie didn't seem bothered by the president's threats. Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
Post-match, Hansi Flick confirmed that the La Masia product is fine, and joked that 'Cu' is young enough to be able to have stitches with no real bother as a man the German's age might experience. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 This* is the first Fulham-specific piece the Athletic bothers to chuck out in ages. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
  • Rather than worry, the best advice is to start getting prepared.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Note: For those who haven’t finished the show, don’t worry.
    Evan Moore July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • That acquisition annoyed shareholders and customers alike, with investors taking issue with the fact that it was structured to avoid a vote.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, be patient with daily contacts, especially siblings and relatives who might annoy you.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • The indictment against Bolsonaro, as florid as a telenovela script, included disturbing allegations, such as a plot to poison Lula and kill Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
    Shannon Sims, New Yorker, 30 July 2025
  • When disturbed, the fungus releases spores that can cause severe respiratory infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
    Justin Stebbing, JSTOR Daily, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Chicken in a hurry is a quick and easy chicken dinner recipe that requires very little prep work and calls for only pantry staple ingredients, including peanut butter, hot pepper jelly, and soy sauce.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
  • Robinson, the Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick, blossomed as a pass rushing force in the second half of his rookie season, contributing six sacks and 42 quarterback hurries in 2024.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • Last month, Los Angeles city officials declared these properties a public nuisance because of their failure to take action to clean up debris.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
  • The cicadas swarming in and around Cincinnati can be a nuisance.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • In the early stages, people may experience fatigue, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and a distinctive bull’s-eye rash.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Economic Worries Add To Pressure Economic concerns are also causing a headache for the Trump administration, with multiple recent polls showing a downward trend in the president's approval rating on his handling of the economy and inflation.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Analysts expressed frustration with CEO Andy Jassy’s explanations for AWS’s relatively slow growth during the conference call.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • On July 29, Trump cut the window to 10 days, citing frustration with Russia's continued drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
    StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 21 July 2025
  • Spam calls and robocalls: Telemarketers and scammers buy your phone number and pester you with unwanted calls about everything from fake warranties to phony charity requests.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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