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Bothersome: meaning, definitions and examples

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bothersome

 

[ˈbɒðəsəm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

annoying

Causing annoyance or irritation; troublesome.

Synonyms

annoying, irritating, troublesome.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bothersome

Used when something causes inconvenience or slight discomfort but is not severe. Commonly used in casual conversation.

  • The noise from the construction work is bothersome.
  • I find these mosquitoes really bothersome in the evening.
annoying

Used when something causes more noticeable irritation or frustration. Often has a slightly negative connotation.

  • His constant interruptions were really annoying.
  • The car alarm going off in the middle of the night is so annoying.
irritating

Used when something causes continuous annoyance or discomfort. Typically has a stronger negative connotation.

  • Her habit of tapping her pen on the desk is extremely irritating.
  • I find his arrogance highly irritating.
troublesome

Used when something causes significant problems or difficulties. Often implies a higher level of inconvenience or challenge.

  • The new software update has been quite troublesome for users.
  • We had a troublesome journey due to the bad weather.

Examples of usage

  • It's bothersome when people constantly interrupt you.
  • The bothersome noise from the construction site made it difficult to concentrate.
Context #2 | Adjective

troublesome

Difficult; causing inconvenience or annoyance.

Synonyms

annoying, difficult, inconvenient.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bothersome

Use this word when something causes minor discomfort or irritation, but is not extremely serious.

  • The constant noise from construction is quite bothersome when trying to concentrate
  • A bothersome rash can make you feel itchy all day
difficult

This word describes something that requires a lot of effort or skill to deal with. It doesn't necessarily imply irritation but rather complexity or challenge.

  • The math problem was so difficult that it took me an hour to solve it
  • Managing a large team can be difficult without proper leadership skills
inconvenient

Use this word when something causes trouble or extra effort, making a situation less comfortable or more difficult, but not necessarily irritating.

  • Having to travel during rush hour is very inconvenient
  • The store's limited hours are inconvenient for people who work late
annoying

This word is suitable for situations where something or someone consistently irritates or bothers you. It usually has a slightly stronger negative connotation than 'bothersome'.

  • His habit of tapping his pencil on the table is really annoying
  • The loud music from the neighbor's party was very annoying

Examples of usage

  • The bothersome task of fixing the leaky faucet took longer than expected.
  • The bothersome behavior of the students disrupted the class.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'bother' comes from the late 18th century, with roots in the British slang 'botheration,' meaning to trouble or confuse.
  • Originally, 'bother' was used more to express worry rather than the annoyance it implies today.
  • 'Bothersome' combines 'bother' with the suffix '-some,' indicating something that causes a specific kind of feeling or state.

Psychology

  • Feeling bothered can trigger stress responses in the body, leading to increased cortisol levels.
  • Annoyances can be linked to perfectionism; higher perfectionism often leads to feeling more bothered by small errors.
  • Research shows that people are more easily bothered by minor inconveniences when they are already experiencing stress or fatigue.

Pop Culture

  • In comedic films, bothersome characters often serve as sources of humor, illustrating how annoying traits can be exaggerated for laughs.
  • A hit television show featured a bothersome neighbor whose antics led to many memorable moments, reflecting how daily annoyances can be relatable.
  • Songs sometimes describe 'bothersome' situations, using them to convey feelings of frustration or overwhelm.

Literature

  • Bothersome characters often appear in classic literature, representing obstacles for protagonists to overcome, like the annoying servant in medieval tales.
  • In modern novels, the theme of being bothered is used to explore deeper emotional states, highlighting characters' inner struggles.
  • Poets frequently refer to bothersome thoughts, capturing the essence of anxiety and distraction in their work.

Social Dynamics

  • Bothersome behaviors often lead to clashes in social settings, influencing group dynamics and relationships.
  • People tend to label certain habits as bothersome, like biting nails or tapping feet, which can strain interpersonal connections.
  • Addressing bothersome issues within relationships often requires open communication and understanding.

Translations

Translations of the word "bothersome" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incômodo

🇮🇳 परेशान करने वाला

🇩🇪 lästig

🇮🇩 mengganggu

🇺🇦 надокучливий

🇵🇱 dokuczliwy

🇯🇵 厄介な

🇫🇷 gênant

🇪🇸 molesto

🇹🇷 rahatsız edici

🇰🇷 성가신

🇸🇦 مزعج

🇨🇿 otravný

🇸🇰 otravný

🇨🇳 烦人的

🇸🇮 nadležen

🇮🇸 pirrandi

🇰🇿 мазалайтын

🇬🇪 შემაწუხებელი

🇦🇿 narahat edən

🇲🇽 molesto

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,064, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.