definitions
  • synonyms

vexatious

[ vek-sey-shuhs ]
/ vɛkˈseɪ ʃəs /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vexatious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing vexation; troublesome; annoying: a vexatious situation.
Law. (of legal actions) instituted without sufficient grounds and serving only to cause annoyance to the defendant.
disorderly; confused; troubled.

RELATED WORDS

annoying, burdensome, disagreeable, disappointing, disturbing, irksome, irritating, mean, pesky, provoking, teasing, troublesome, trying, ugly, unpleasant, wicked, worrisome, worrying, nagging, tormenting

Nearby words

vetluga, veto, vetter, vex, vexation, vexatious, vexatiously, vexed, vexedly, vexil, vexilla

Origin of vexatious

First recorded in 1525–35; vexati(on) + -ous
SYNONYMS FOR vexatious
1 disturbing, provoking, irritating.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vexatious ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vexatious

British Dictionary definitions for vexatious

vexatious

/ (vɛkˈseɪʃəs) /

adjective

vexing or tending to vex
vexed
law (of a legal action or proceeding) instituted without sufficient grounds, esp so as to cause annoyance or embarrassment to the defendantvexatious litigation
Derived Formsvexatiously, adverbvexatiousness, noun
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 vexatious

vexatious

adj.

1530s; see vexation + -ous. Related: Vexatiously; vexatiousness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper