bother
verb (used with object)
to annoy; give trouble to; pester.
bothering
-
present participleof bother.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
She has an up-and-down relationship with her one close friend, and she hesitates to bother her adored brother, Laurie, if it means bothering Laurie’s wife.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Their colonies grow faster and bigger, and they end up making news headlines by bothering humans.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
JapanLA was auctioning the rarest Sonny Angels for hundreds of dollars, and that started bothering some fans of the fat little collectibles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
When it offered him half a song, he said, “Good enough” — without even bothering to run it through a few rounds of polishing.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
I grabbed my backpack, not bothering to put my books in it, and hurried to his locker, the weight of the books pressing against my achy chest.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
