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

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

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

That makes the planning underway in Alabama a window into the problems also vexing other states.

From Washington Post

The problem has vexed scientists for more than 150 years, ever since Darwin famously mulled the “tangled bank” in On the Origin of Species.

From Quanta Magazine

This is effectively windfall money for these counties and it’s long vexed the prosecutorial community.

From Voice of San Diego

When looking at the overall affect of pods, it is hard not to see how they will exacerbate the pre-existing inequities and achievement gaps that already vex public schools.

From Voice of San Diego

Councilwoman Jen Campbell announced Wednesday a proposal to regulate short-term vacation rentals in San Diego, the latest attempt to solve an issue that’s vexed City Hall for years.

From Voice of San Diego

The title of the Donne poem is “Oh, to Vex Me, Contraries Meet as One.”

From The Daily Beast

Please torment, harass, vex, heckle, and badger those two blockheads until they honor their commitments to my defense fund.

From The Daily Beast

I do not intend to vex or grieve you by any conduct of mine; nor do I mean to leave you, now you are both infirm and old.

From Project Gutenberg

I didn't mean to vex you, dear Margaret; I like nothing so well, only we are never alone, and I've no time.

From Project Gutenberg

In comes Will Joyce to us drunk, and in a talking vapouring humour of his state, and I know not what, which did vex me cruelly.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh dear, if she has written so as to vex Aunt Alison, and we get blamed for it, and everything is spoilt!'

From Project Gutenberg

"No, Adolphe tries to vex me, he's going slower," says the young wife to her mother.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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