Bothering

Bothering refers to the act of causing someone to feel worried, annoyed, or disturbed. It can occur through persistent interruption, teasing, or disturbances that frustrate or trouble an individual. People may bother one another knowingly or unknowingly, and the emotional response varies from mild annoyance to significant distress, depending on the context and relationship between the individuals involved.

Bothering meaning with examples

• The constant noise outside was bothering Julie, making it difficult for her to concentrate on her work. She tried using headphones to drown out the sound, but it only provided temporary relief. Eventually, she had to step outside to talk to the neighbor about the ongoing construction that was disrupting her peace.
• Tom didn’t mean to keep bothering his friend with questions during the exam. He thought it was essential to clarify some doubts, but he was unaware that his friend was equally stressed. Realizing that he was distracting them, Tom decided to focus on his own paper and stop interrupting.
• Bothering someone with unsolicited advice can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. For instance, when Sarah tried to help her colleague with their personal issues, she didn't realize that her suggestions were coming off as intrusive. After recognizing this, she chose to listen more and offer support only when it was welcomed.
• When kids are bothering each other, it usually leads to squabbles and disputes. For example, during recess, Mark started teasing Lily about her new shoes, which irritated her. The situation escalated until a teacher intervened, reminding them that teasing and bothering others can hurt feelings.
• While he would like to help his brother with his problems, Brian felt that constantly bothering him with advice would only make things worse. Instead, he decided to offer his support in a more subtle way, letting his brother know he was there when he was ready to talk.