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Synonyms

bothersome

American  
[both-er-suhm] / ˈbɒð ər səm /

adjective

  1. causing annoyance or worry; troublesome.

    Synonyms:
    galling, vexatious, irksome, irritating, annoying
bothersome British  
/ ˈbɒðəsəm /

adjective

  1. causing bother; troublesome

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bothersome

First recorded in 1825–35; bother + -some 1

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.

Still, it’s bothersome that a world-famous abuser was among the cohort who’ve been misreading and misrepresenting Nabokov’s “love affair with the English language” since its release.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

Utilityman Tommy Edman did return to the lineup, but only as designated hitter as he continues to nurse his long bothersome ankle injury.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2025

Part of the British Pest Control Association, John is well-versed in the problems wasps can cause gate-crashing picnics or beer gardens on a summer's day, and building bothersome nests.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025

What does that say about pop culture that that is so bothersome to you?

From BBC • May 30, 2024

As far as he was concerned, Mama’s distress was bothersome.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.