vex
Americanverb (used with object)
-
His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
- Antonyms:
- delight
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to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry.
Lack of money vexes many.
Her arthritis vexed her all night.
-
to confuse or bewilder; confound.
The formula vexes most of our students at first.
-
to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length.
They vexed the question endlessly without agreeing.
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to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.
verb
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to anger or annoy
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to confuse; worry
-
archaic to agitate
Other Word Forms
- vexer noun
- vexing adjective
- vexingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of vex
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”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Graffiti, trash, trespassing and safety issues at the sprawling mall vexed local officials for so many years that they secured an injunction forcing the property owners to redevelop it or demolish it by August.
From Los Angeles Times
When she spotted a photo of herself in China during an opening news conference, she couldn’t help but nod at her own vexing history.
The brevity—and breakneck speed—of many of the new trade deals with the U.S. have left ambiguities that vex swift approvals.
This close alignment with American interests has at times vexed the Danish population.
More broadly, however, Rogan appeared as torn by the vexed issue of immigration as so many other Americans.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
