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Definitions

bother

[both-er] / ˈbɒð ər /
NOUN
trouble, inconvenience
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggravation
STRONG
ado annoyance anxiety bellyache botheration bustle care concern difficulty distress drag exasperation flurry fuss headache irritant irritation molestation nudge nuisance pain perplexity pest plague pother pressure problem strain to-do trial trouble vexation worriment worry
WEAK
pain in the neck
Antonyms
STRONG
advantage calm calmness comfort contentment delight ease good health happiness health joy peace pleasure tranquility
WEAK
aid convenience help
VERB
harass, annoy; give trouble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate alarm bore disgust dismay disturb embarrass exacerbate hinder hurt irk irritate nag perplex perturb plague scare torment trouble upset worry
STRONG
afflict agitate badger bedevil browbeat concern cross discommode disconcert displease disquiet distress eat exasperate goad grieve harry impede inconvenience insult molest needle nudge pain pester provoke pursue ride spite tantalize taunt tease vex
WEAK
carp at grate on intrude upon pick on put out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid appease assist assuage assure calm comfort delight encourage gladden help make happy order please reassure relieve soothe
STRONG
compliment ease praise satisfy stop support
WEAK
ignore neglect
VERB
take the trouble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
try worry about
WEAK
be concerned about concern oneself exert oneself fuss over go out of one's way make a fuss about make an effort put oneself out take pains
Antonyms
WEAK
aid help ignore neglect please

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead of thinking, Why bother?, they think, This could be worth it.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

So why bother with the idea of an independent DeepMind?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

That means Disney and ABC either chose to disregard its existence, or gambled – correctly, it turns out – that the public wouldn’t bother to look too deeply into what happened.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

The profit outlook didn’t seem to bother investors, as Macy’s has a long history of beating bottom-line expectations.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Fred tried to sulk but was too hot to bother.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr