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Disturb vs Bother - What's the difference?

disturb | bother |

Bother is a synonym of disturb.



In transitive terms the difference between disturb and bother

is that disturb is to divert, redirect, or alter by disturbing while bother is to annoy, to disturb, to irritate.

In intransitive terms the difference between disturb and bother

is that disturb is to have a negative emotional impact; to cause emotional distress or confusion while bother is to do something which is of negligible inconvenience.

As an interjection bother is

a mild expression of annoyance.

disturb

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • to confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.
    • The noisy ventilation disturbed me during the exam.
    The performance was disturbed twice by a ringing mobile phone.
    A school of fish disturbed the water.
  • to divert, redirect, or alter by disturbing.
    • A mudslide disturbed the course of the river.
    The trauma disturbed his mind.
  • * Milton
    • disturb his inmost counsels from their destined aim
  • to have a negative emotional impact; to cause emotional distress or confusion.
    • A disturbing film that tries to explore the mind of a serial killer.
    His behaviour is very disturbing .

    Derived terms

    * disturbance

    Noun

  • (obsolete) disturbance
    • (Milton)

    bother

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To annoy, to disturb, to irritate.
    • Would it bother you if I smoked?
  • To feel care or anxiety; to make or take trouble; to be troublesome.
    • Why do I even bother to try?
  • * Henry James
    • without bothering about it
  • To do something which is of negligible inconvenience.
    • You didn't even bother to close the door.

    Synonyms

    * (annoy, disturb ): annoy, disturb, irritate, put out, vex * See also

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive'' or the ''gerund (-ing) . See

    Noun

  • Fuss, ado.
    • There was a bit of bother at the hairdresser's when they couldn't find my appointment in the book.
  • * '>citation
  • Trouble, inconvenience.
    • Yes, I can do that for you - it's no bother .

    Interjection

  • A mild expression of annoyance.
  • * 1926 , A A Milne, Winnie the Pooh'', Methuen & Co., Ltd., Chapter 2 ''...in which Pooh goes visiting and gets into a tight place :
    • "Oh, help!" said Pooh. "I'd better go back."
    "Oh, bother !" said Pooh. "I shall have to go on."
    "I can't do either!" said Pooh. "Oh, help and bother !"

    Synonyms

    * blast, dang (US ), darn

    Related terms

    * be bothered * bothered * bothersome English control verbs