vex

[ veks ]

verb (used with object)

1. to irritate; annoy; provoke:

   His noisy neighbors often vexed him.

   Synonyms: nettle, fret, irk, anger

   Antonyms: delight

2. to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry:

   Lack of money vexes many.

   Her arthritis vexed her all night.

   Synonyms: harass, harry, hector

3. to confuse or bewilder; confound:

   The formula vexes most of our students at first.

4. to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length:

   They vexed the question endlessly without agreeing.

5. to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.

vex

/ vɛks /

verb

1. to anger or annoy
2. to confuse; worry
3. archaic.
   to agitate

Derived Forms

• ˈvexingly, adverb
• ˈvexing, adjective
• ˈvexer, noun

Other Words From

• vex·er noun
• vex·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vex¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English vexen, from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre “to shake, jolt, harass, annoy,” frequentative of vehere “to carry, convey”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vex¹

C15: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre to jolt (in carrying), from vehere to convey

Example Sentences

But it doesn’t actually seem to vex your generation.

From Los Angeles Times

The report noted that water quality near the Santa Monica Pier continues to vex officials despite efforts like installing a stormwater capture system in 2018 and adding bird netting beneath the pier to manage pollution from bird feces.

From Los Angeles Times

The blowback from Mr. Sternlicht, who has described himself as a political independent and whose name is on a Brown residence hall, shows how quickly the issue of divestment from Israel may vex universities.

From New York Times

North Carolina State University researchers used text analytics on both historic and modern writing to reveal more information about the effects and spread of the plant pathogen -- now known as Phytophthora infestans -- that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine and that continues to vex breeders of potatoes and tomatoes.

From Science Daily

In those cases, cyclists either ride in the “door zone,” the 2- to 3-foot corridor next to a parked car, or take up the full lane, which may vex testy drivers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afflict
• agitate
• annoy
• displease
• disquiet
• disturb
• embarrass
• exasperate
• gall
• infuriate
• irk
• irritate
• offend
• peeve
• perplex
• rile
• torment