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vexed

[vekst]
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adjective
  1. irritated; annoyed: vexed at the slow salesclerks.
  2. much discussed or disputed: a vexed question.
  3. tossed about, as waves.
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Origin of vexed

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at vex, -ed2
Related formsvex·ed·ly [vek-sid-lee] /ˈvɛk sɪd li/, adverbvex·ed·ness, nounhalf-vexed, adjectiveun·vexed, adjective

vex

[veks]
verb (used with object)
  1. to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
  2. to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.
  3. to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing.
  4. to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.
  5. to afflict with physical pain.
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Origin of vex

1375–1425; late Middle English vexen < Old French vexer < Latin vexāre to shake, jolt, harass, annoy, frequentative of vehere to carry, convey
Related formsvex·er, nounvex·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms

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1. anger, irk, fret, nettle. 2. hector, harry, harass.

Antonyms

1. delight.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

annoydisturbperplexexasperatedispleasepeeveinfuriatedisquietirritateoffendrileirktormentagitategallembarrassafflictpiquehassleanger

Examples from the Web for vexed

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Master was vexed and anxious—almost angry, and yet full of solicitude.

    To be Read at Dusk

    Charles Dickens

  • "Mother, don't be vexed with a fellow," he said more gently.

    Weighed and Wanting

    George MacDonald

  • He was not vexed that he had made her cry, but vexed that she cried.

    Weighed and Wanting

    George MacDonald

  • Don't be vexed at what I say; I know you advise for my good; but you do not know how I feel in this matter.

    Life in London

    Edwin Hodder

  • He was vexed with the young volunteer and vexed with himself.

British Dictionary definitions for vexed

vexed

adjective
  1. annoyed, confused, or agitated
  2. much debated and discussed (esp in the phrase a vexed question)
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Derived Formsvexedly (ˈvɛksɪdlɪ), adverbvexedness, noun

vex

verb (tr)
  1. to anger or annoy
  2. to confuse; worry
  3. archaic to agitate
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Derived Formsvexer, nounvexing, adjectivevexingly, adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre to jolt (in carrying), from vehere to convey
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 vexed

adj.

mid-15c., past participle adjective from vex. Phrase vexed question attested from 1848.

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vex

v.

early 15c., from Middle French vexer, from Latin vexare "to attack, harass, trouble," from vexus, collateral form of vectus, past participle of vehere "to draw, carry" (see vehicle). Related: Vexed; vexing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper