as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
one more bothering, and I'm going to kick you out of here
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in worrying
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bugging
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 fretting
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 distracting
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bothering
Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Lead with Gratitude and Grace Calling out someone for bothering you is always tricky.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
That appeared to be a distraction at times to Anisimova, who motioned to her team in the stands that something was bothering her during ball tosses for serves.
—Howard Fendrich, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Because Paris is a magical place, Belly’s pickpocket takes her backpack directly to a rave without even bothering to open it.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
So, at least for now, Chamorro is not bothering with the official Pop Mart drops.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
While there is still hope that Clark can return this season from the groin injury that has been bothering her, there is no guarantee of that becoming a reality.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
Think of a small worry, problem or concern that has been bothering you.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
However, the new romance seems to be bothering Bloom.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
There's other important bathroom etiquette travelers should keep in mind to avoid bothering flight attendants.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Lead with Gratitude and Grace Calling out someone for bothering you is always tricky.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
That appeared to be a distraction at times to Anisimova, who motioned to her team in the stands that something was bothering her during ball tosses for serves.
—Howard Fendrich, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Because Paris is a magical place, Belly’s pickpocket takes her backpack directly to a rave without even bothering to open it.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
So, at least for now, Chamorro is not bothering with the official Pop Mart drops.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
While there is still hope that Clark can return this season from the groin injury that has been bothering her, there is no guarantee of that becoming a reality.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
Think of a small worry, problem or concern that has been bothering you.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
However, the new romance seems to be bothering Bloom.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bothering
Noun
-
But both uniformed and civilian personnel are subject to social media standards outlined by the services, which prohibit bad online behavior such as bullying, discrimination and harassment.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Hoadley was sentenced to three months in prison after a jury convicted him of destruction, alteration or falsification of records, tampering with a witness by harassment, and tampering with documents.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This willingness of the AI to heap praise and act as a sycophant has worrying consequences for the populace as a whole.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, Federal Reserve policymakers have already started worrying about the housing market.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored vital goals last season, suffering from an injury and a distracting transfer saga amid interest from Newcastle, Pereira has had to work with three crucial players through the spine of his team either missing or below par.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Here, the challenge was capturing speed, altitude, and precision in a way that feels immediate without distracting from the story.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Sounders’ defenders swarmed Messi from the first minute, and midfielder Obed Vargas was particularly physical, annoying the Argentine icon time and again.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
-
In fairness, Arsenal seemed to be annoying Liverpool for much of the first hour.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And so when one party makes this concerted effort to use our faith as a justification for their policies, then that should be concerning to all of us.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Each has talked up and acted upon the notion that universities’ illiberal and often hypocritical approaches to issues concerning free speech and antisemitism need to change.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the central Atlantic for potential development this week.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Kp is an index used to indicate the severity of the global magnetic disturbances in near-Earth space, NOAA said.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unfollow accounts that regularly share disturbing images.—
Annie Margaret,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
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The second sounds like every other LinkedIn message disturbing their peace and cluttering their inbox.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There are ingredients that can pose health risks (phthalates, formaldehyde), and others that are just potentially irritating to some (certain sulfates).—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
However, Agnes is dressed exactly like Wednesday and her Single White Female act is irritating the hell out of her hero.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bothering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bothering. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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