vex

[ veks ]
See synonyms for: vexvexedvexesvexing on Thesaurus.com

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.Her arthritis vexed her all night.

  1. to confuse or bewilder; confound: The formula vexes most of our students at first.

  2. to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: They vexed the question endlessly without agreeing.

  3. to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.

Origin of vex

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English vexen, from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre “to shake, jolt, harass, annoy,” frequentative of vehere “to carry, convey”

Other words for vex

Opposites for vex

Other words from vex

  • vex·er, noun
  • vex·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vex in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vex

vex

/ (vɛks) /


verb(tr)
  1. to anger or annoy

  2. to confuse; worry

  1. archaic to agitate

Origin of vex

1
C15: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre to jolt (in carrying), from vehere to convey

Derived forms of vex

  • vexer, noun
  • vexing, adjective
  • vexingly, adverb

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