vex

[ veks ]

/ vɛks /

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verb (used with object)

to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.

to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.

to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing.

to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.

to afflict with physical pain.

Nearby words

vetiver, vetivert, vetluga, veto, vetter, vex, vexation, vexatious, vexed, vexillary, vexillate

Origin of vex

1375–1425; late Middle English vexen < Old French vexer < Latin vexāre to shake, jolt, harass, annoy, frequentative of vehere to carry, convey

SYNONYMS FOR vex

1 anger, irk, fret, nettle.

2 hector, harry, harass.

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ANTONYMS FOR vex

1 delight.

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Related forms

vex·er, nounvex·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vex

The title of the Donne poem is “Oh, to Vex Me, Contraries Meet as One.”
Cynthia Nixon on Bisexuality & Her New Role in ‘Wit’|Kevin Sessums|January 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Please torment, harass, vex, heckle, and badger those two blockheads until they honor their commitments to my defense fund.
John Grisham's Debut Short Story|John Grisham|October 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
It would have vexed me from anybody else; it did not vex me from him.
Daisy|Elizabeth Wetherell
I want the things now,” said Norman; “everybody is trying to vex me.
Norman Vallery|W.H.G. Kingston

Forgive me, Archie, if I vex you; but there is something, I am thoroughly convinced of that.
Not Like Other Girls|Rosa N. Carey
They are after Sprigg, to vex and frighten him, and think that I am he.
The Red Moccasins|Morrison Heady
It puzzles me so, and then perhaps I may say something to vex you.
The Tapestry Room|Mrs. Molesworth

British Dictionary definitions for vex

vex

/ (vɛks) /

verb (tr)

to anger or annoy

to confuse; worry

archaic to agitate

Derived Forms

vexer, nounvexing, adjectivevexingly, adverb

Word Origin for vex

C15: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre to jolt (in carrying), from vehere to convey

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

vex