vexation

American  

[vek-sey-shuhn] / vɛkˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of vexing.

2. the state of being vexed; vexed; irritation; annoyance.

   vexation at missing the bus.

3. something that vexes; a cause of annoyance; nuisance.

   Rush-hour traffic is a daily vexation.

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vexation British  

/ vɛkˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of vexing or the state of being vexed

2. something that vexes

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Other Word Forms

• self-vexation noun
• supervexation noun

Etymology

Origin of vexation

1350–1400; Middle English vexacioun < Latin vexātiōn- (stem of vexātiō ), equivalent to vexāt ( us ) (past participle of vexāre to vex; -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

"You might be feeling a familiar vexation at the sight of these two formerly innocuous numerals," Dictionary.com said, addressing parents as it announced the winner this week.

From Barron's

Her vexation then turns into humiliation and shame, then to debilitating depression.

From Salon

He can’t tell if Romy’s vexation is genuine or just another part of their game, and tries to figure it out with a command.

From Salon

Strange, too, that so few books deal substantively with a near-universal vexation, by which I mean the tax system.

From New York Times

“I’m begging you, Michael, I’m begging you, try to make believe this is not just madness, because this is not just madness,” the voice pleads, pitch modulating and then oscillating through steadiness to vexation.

From New York Times