vexed
Americanadjective
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irritated; annoyed.
The shop's customers were often vexed at the slow sales clerks.
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much discussed or disputed; difficult to resolve or understand; contentious.
The mining rights for that area are a vexed issue.
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afflicted by torment or trouble (often used in combination).
Citizens showed increasing frustration with the corruption-vexed government.
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tossed about, as by waves or other physical forces.
The loud, perpetual roar of the vexed waters filled the valley.
adjective
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annoyed, confused, or agitated
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much debated and discussed (esp in the phrase a vexed question )
Other Word Forms
- half-vexed adjective
- unvexed adjective
- vexedly adverb
- vexedness noun
Etymology
Origin of vexed
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
From hostages to nuclear weapons and proxy wars, Iran has vexed American presidents for some 75 years, compelling some of Washington’s riskiest international campaigns.
Major Puff, most vexed by this insult, stared after Handsome.
From Literature
Graffiti, trash, trespassing and safety issues at the sprawling mall vexed local officials for so many years that they secured an injunction forcing the property owners to redevelop it or demolish it by August.
From Los Angeles Times
This close alignment with American interests has at times vexed the Danish population.
More broadly, however, Rogan appeared as torn by the vexed issue of immigration as so many other Americans.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
