vex

[ veks ]

See synonyms for: vex vexed vexes vexing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.Her arthritis vexed her all night.

to confuse or bewilder; confound: The formula vexes most of our students at first.
to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: They vexed the question endlessly without agreeing.
to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.

Origin of vex

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

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

See synonyms for vex on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for vex

delight

See antonyms for vex on Thesaurus.com

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

The team knew that the gas varied naturally with sunspots, seasons, and latitude, but this drop-off vexed them.
5 famous environmental disasters where humans and nature healed together | Meera Subramanian | February 16, 2021 | Popular-Science
You can understand why it vexes supporters of activist government.
David's Book Club: What Are Liberals Thinking? | David Frum | July 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
That Coulson and Brooks are close friends of the prime minister vexes the picture still further.
How British Tabloids Lost Their Way | Howard Jacobson | July 22, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
And here I spoke and saluted Mrs. Pierce, but being in haste could not learn of her where her lodgings are, which vexes me.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete | Samuel Pepys
I shewed him no friendly look, but he took no notice to me of the Wardrobe business, which vexes me.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete | Samuel Pepys

I must refuse your application, then, although I see it vexes you.
The Tiger Hunter | Mayne Reid
Nothing vexes a man so much as the consciousness of being an object of mirth or ridicule.
The Irish Penny Journal, No. 2, Vol. I, July 11, 1840 | Various
In the matter of Savoy, it has vexed and vexes me, I do confess to you.
The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II | Elizabeth Barrett Browning

British Dictionary definitions for vex

vex

/ (vɛks) /

verb(tr)

to anger or annoy
to confuse; worry

archaic to agitate

Origin of vex

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

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