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

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 formsvex·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 Formsvexer, 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

Word Origin and History for vex

vex

early 15c., from Middle French vexer, from Latin vexare "to attack, harass, trouble," from vexus, collateral form of vectus, past participle of vehere "to draw, carry" (see vehicle). Related: Vexed; vexing.

vex