vexation

American  

[vek-sey-shuhn] / vɛkˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of vexing.

2. the state of being vexed; vexed; irritation; annoyance.

   vexation at missing the bus.

3. something that vexes; a cause of annoyance; nuisance.

   Rush-hour traffic is a daily vexation.

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vexation British  

/ vɛkˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of vexing or the state of being vexed

2. something that vexes

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Other Word Forms

• self-vexation noun
• supervexation noun

Etymology

Origin of vexation

1350–1400; Middle English vexacioun < Latin vexātiōn- (stem of vexātiō ), equivalent to vexāt ( us ) (past participle of vexāre to vex; -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

McMurtry’s stark assessment grew in part from a vexation that, despite his lifelong project to demythologize the cowboy, the ultimate American icon, his most celebrated book had the inverse effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

"You might be feeling a familiar vexation at the sight of these two formerly innocuous numerals," Dictionary.com said, addressing parents as it announced the winner this week.

From Barron's

Her vexation then turns into humiliation and shame, then to debilitating depression.

From Salon

He can’t tell if Romy’s vexation is genuine or just another part of their game, and tries to figure it out with a command.

From Salon

Strange, too, that so few books deal substantively with a near-universal vexation, by which I mean the tax system.

From New York Times