vexed
Americanadjective
-
irritated; annoyed.
The shop's customers were often vexed at the slow sales clerks.
-
much discussed or disputed; difficult to resolve or understand; contentious.
The mining rights for that area are a vexed issue.
-
afflicted by torment or trouble (often used in combination).
Citizens showed increasing frustration with the corruption-vexed government.
-
tossed about, as by waves or other physical forces.
The loud, perpetual roar of the vexed waters filled the valley.
adjective
-
annoyed, confused, or agitated
-
much debated and discussed (esp in the phrase a vexed question )
Other Word Forms
- half-vexed adjective
- unvexed adjective
- vexedly adverb
- vexedness noun
Etymology
Origin of vexed
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.
Though timing these cycles has vexed many investors, there was a fairly familiar pattern of sales growing quickly, then shrinking.
From Barron's
How to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is an especially vexed question.
I kept my chin up, but inside I was keyed up and vexed with Anna May myself.
From Literature
From hostages to nuclear weapons and proxy wars, Iran has vexed American presidents for some 75 years, compelling some of Washington’s riskiest international campaigns.
Major Puff, most vexed by this insult, stared after Handsome.
From Literature
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.
