bother
verb (used with object)
to annoy; give trouble to; pester.
had been bothering
-
past perfect progressiveof bother.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
In November 2021, the child confided the truth in a close friend, who recalled: "I asked if they felt guilty, they said yes - like this guilt had been bothering them. They were distraught."
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
But in the middle of Reddish sitting out the last three games, he also recovered from a left groin injury that had been bothering him at times throughout the season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2024
He said the hip had been bothering him for a couple of days, but it was never as bad as it became on Wednesday.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 17, 2023
Mr. Lekver said walruses needed a lot of rest and people had been bothering Freya by swimming with her and taking photos of her.
From New York Times ● Aug. 14, 2022
I decided to ask him my last big question, the one that had been bothering me all afternoon.
From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
