vexing

[vek-sing]

adjective

1. irritating, provoking, or annoying.

   Automatic file recovery reintroduced errors already corrected at the proofing stage—which was very vexing.

2. tormenting, troubling, or distressing.

   She came to see racism as her country's most vexing problem.

Other Word Forms

• vexingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vexing¹

vex ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

But in these vexing and highly contentious times it surely is.

From Los Angeles Times

CANTON, Ohio — Trey Lance welcomes any opportunity that comes his way — a vexing four NFL seasons have only made him more eager — so Thursday night felt especially good.

From Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson for the governor stressed that the creation of a new housing agency is part of a broader effort by Newsom to prioritize one of California’s most vexing issues.

From Los Angeles Times

But a few details that might be quite vexing to the bride and groom are playing out in public.

From Los Angeles Times

Khan went on for a minute about a vexing old record deal then seemed wisely to think better of that.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alarming 
• annoying 
• bothersome 
• creepy 
• depressing 
• disconcerting 
• discouraging www.thesaurus.com
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• embarrassing www.thesaurus.com
• frightening www.thesaurus.com
• irritating 
• ominous 
• painful 
• perplexing 
• sinister 
• startling 
• threatening 
• troublesome 
• troubling www.thesaurus.com
• unpleasant