vexatious

[vek-sey-shuhs]

adjective

1. causing vexation; troublesome; annoying.

   a vexatious situation.

   Synonyms: irksome, bothersome, irritating, provoking
   Antonyms: delightful

2. Law.,  (of legal actions) instituted without sufficient grounds and serving only to cause annoyance to the defendant.

3. full of unease or turmoil; troubled.

vexatious

/ vɛkˈseɪʃəs /

adjective

1. vexing or tending to vex

2. vexed

3. law (of a legal action or proceeding) instituted without sufficient grounds, esp so as to cause annoyance or embarrassment to the defendant

   vexatious litigation

Other Word Forms

• vexatiousness noun
• vexatiously adverb
• nonvexatious adjective
• nonvexatiously adverb
• nonvexatiousness noun
• unvexatious adjective
• unvexatiously adverb
• unvexatiousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vexatious¹

First recorded in 1525–35; vexati(on) + -ous

Example Sentences

Hit-Boy’s first musical body of work to arrive on the heels of this extended vexatious period is his forthcoming album, naturally titled “Software Update.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Home Secretary has vowed to fight "vexatious, last-minute claims" after the deportation of an Eritrean man under the UK-France migrants returns deal was temporarily blocked.

Read more on BBC

Cheryl says she has been told not to contact them anymore, with the council calling her claims "vexatious".

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"We require that you immediately stop manufacturing false and vexatious allegations against Ms Siddiq and further media briefings and public comments designed to harm her reputation."

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A body of law has developed about “vexatious litigants” whose filings are simply dismissed out of hand unless they allege an imminent risk of serious harm.

Read more on Salon