vexing

[ vek-sing ]

adjective

1. irritating, provoking, or annoying:

   Automatic file recovery reintroduced errors already corrected at the proofing stage—which was very vexing.

2. tormenting, troubling, or distressing:

   She came to see racism as her country's most vexing problem.

Other Word Forms

• vex·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vexing¹

vex ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

If US territorial ambitions for Canada are, in fact, a "real thing", it presents a simple, vexing question.

From BBC

Milla’s choices are vexing, but her frustration with the condescending medical establishment is also understandable.

From Los Angeles Times

Deportations could also exacerbate another vexing problem, housing prices, by reducing the number of workers available to help construct new homes to address the nation’s housing shortage.

From Salon

When it comes to the vexing problem of red or any other gradient, when we both agree that a thing is some color, is it really exactly the same as the color in your mind?

From Salon

Let’s celebrate the end of the most vexing, mean-spirited presidential election in modern times.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alarming
• annoying
• bothersome
• creepy
• depressing
• disconcerting
• discouraging
• distressing
• embarrassing
• frightening
• irritating
• ominous
• painful
• perplexing
• sinister
• startling
• threatening
• troublesome
• troubling
• unpleasant