vex
[veks]
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.
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
Antonyms for vex
1. delight.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for vex
annoy, disturb, perplex, exasperate, displease, peeve, infuriate, disquiet, irritate, offend, rile, irk, torment, agitate, gall, embarrass, afflict, pique, hassle, angerExamples from the Web for vex
Contemporary Examples of vex
The title of the Donne poem is “Oh, to Vex Me, Contraries Meet as One.”
Please torment, harass, vex, heckle, and badger those two blockheads until they honor their commitments to my defense fund.
Historical Examples of vex
“Vex not thyself,” said the old dame, as she saw him struggling with his sobs.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
"Nay, you cannot vex me," he answered, all warm again at the very sight of her.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
She is a very good woman—very; but it's prudent not to vex her.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
All this was the readier told me, because it was against me, and would tease and vex me.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
The chance was lost; but why should it vex her,—what was he to her?
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
vex
verb (tr)
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
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper