vexed

[ vekst ]

adjective

1. irritated; annoyed:

   The shop's customers were often vexed at the slow sales clerks.

2. much discussed or disputed; difficult to resolve or understand; contentious:

   The mining rights for that area are a vexed issue.

3. afflicted by torment or trouble (often used in combination):

   Citizens showed increasing frustration with the corruption-vexed government.

4. tossed about, as by waves or other physical forces:

   The loud, perpetual roar of the vexed waters filled the valley.

vexed

/ vɛkst; ˈvɛksɪdlɪ /

adjective

1. annoyed, confused, or agitated
2. much debated and discussed (esp in the phrase a vexed question )

Derived Forms

• ˈvexedness, noun
• vexedly, adverb

Other Words From

• vex·ed·ly [vek, -sid-lee], adverb
• vex·ed·ness noun
• half-vexed adjective
• un·vexed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vexed¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; vex, -ed ²

Example Sentences

That question — the deepest and most vexed issue posed by the theory — is still the subject of arguments a century old.

From Quanta Magazine

So in the spirit of embracing and exploring our current state of deeply vexed uncertainty, the Vox Book Club is going to spend November reading Susan Choi’s wicked and vexing Trust Exercise.

From Vox

I sometimes feel vexed by—but also addicted to—a sense of conflict, or a sense of being at odds with myself, or my choices.

From The Daily Beast

When European politics became more vexed, so did Eurovision.

From The Daily Beast

A turbulent period in which national identity was always vexed by the slavery question up through 1861.

From The Daily Beast

For weeks since our pilgrimage, the furious debate over the Ground Zero mosque has vexed me.

From The Daily Beast

So, feeling a little vexed by the GW incident, I took the purity test.

From The Daily Beast

Its record is largely that of battles and sieges, of the brave adventure of discovery and the vexed slaughter of the nations.

From Project Gutenberg

He felt vexed with himself for his lapse from good manners, yet hardly able to account for it.

From Project Gutenberg

She felt vexed with her mother, vexed with her husband, vexed on all sides; and she took refuge in her fatigue and was silent.

From Project Gutenberg

I was vexed that the woman of the party wore a dress evidently of French fashion: it spoiled the unity of the groupe.

From Project Gutenberg

She stamped her foot prettily, imperiously, vexed at my refusal to go out of that weird place the way I had entered.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• afraid
• agitated
• anguished
• anxious
• apprehensive
• edgy
• fearful
• impatient
• insecure
• irritable
• jittery
• nervous
• precarious
• restless
• shaky
• strained
• suspicious
• tense
• troubled
• uncomfortable