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
Etymology
Origin of vexed
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; see origin at vex, -ed 2
Explanation
Vexed means "difficult and much debated." If your family is having trouble coming to an agreement about where to go on vacation next summer, your holiday trip has become a vexed issue. When people can't resolve an issue or find a solution, it is a vexed problem — one that's become complicated because of differing and probably strong opinions. Vexed can also describe being irritated. If you borrowed your sister's car without asking permission, and if she had a fancy way of putting things, she might tell you she's incredibly vexed with you right now.
Vocabulary lists containing vexed
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 3
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Mad Infinitum: Synonyms for "Angry"
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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.
The billionaire built the sprawling facility to address an issue that has long vexed Nigeria—the West African nation is a major oil producer but exports almost all its crude to be refined abroad.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Though timing these cycles has vexed many investors, there was a fairly familiar pattern of sales growing quickly, then shrinking.
From Barron's ● Mar. 18, 2026
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.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 28, 2026
The question that vexed me as I left La Jolla Playhouse, where “Working Girl” is receiving its world premiere, is why must musicals so often cheapen their source material?
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 19, 2025
On returning, now charged to find that woman’s daughter, he knew why the previous assignment had vexed him so.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
