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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
Anthony Edwards has been bothered in the past by good perimeter defenders backed by quality rim protectors. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025 In addition, early on, FIU’s defense had trouble lining up correctly due to Kennesaw’s up-tempo offense, but Simmons seemed most bothered by the tackling. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
But, in Los Alamitos, the troop presence hasn’t been a bother for the surrounding community, Hasselbrink said. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 8 July 2025 Indeed, the dog didn't seem to have any problems moving with the crate around him, even managing to change direction without bother. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bother
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bother
Verb
  • More broadly, the NBA has expressed concern about prop bets, while other sports leagues have worried about the potential for manipulation.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While Johnson had plenty to be pleased with, he was annoyed by the number of penalties and said the offense has to do a better job of running the football.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
  • They’re built not to resist developers but, as their name suggests, they’re intentionally designed, with a degree of malice, to annoy someone specific.
    Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Conventional cleanup techniques often worsen the problem by disturbing soil structures and consuming large amounts of energy.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • There is trash and pollutants from the tourists and gravel has been mined from the area to make trekking routes for people, disturbing the places where females may have laid their eggs, researchers said.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Gia Hinman had three hurries and three pass deflections for the Eagles, two of which came on fourth downs.
    Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
  • He's also logged 25 pressures, 15 hurries, and six QB hits, according to Pro Football Focus.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Wednesday Bye weeks have been mostly a nuisance so far this season.
    Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Usually a last resort, the public nuisance investigation allows the Davidson County District Attorney's Office to bring these actions to criminal court, despite the complaint itself being civil in nature, Aaron said.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Regardless of the scheduling headache, there's still no indication the funding bill would pass, unless Republicans and Democrats can strike a deal on health care.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
  • In the year before his death, Thomas had been struggling with his mental health, as well as daily headaches and memory loss, his parents said at the time.
    Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The frustration that had been simmering throughout a dreadful collective display reached combustion levels.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, the American captain has no hope of putting his frustration behind him anytime soon.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Schroder, who has a reputation for pestering opposing point guards, is the head of that spear.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bother.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bother. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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