vex
Americanverb (used with object)
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His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
- Antonyms:
- delight
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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.
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to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.
verb
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to anger or annoy
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to confuse; worry
-
archaic to agitate
Other Word Forms
- vexer noun
- vexing adjective
- vexingly adverb
Etymology
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”
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.
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.
Major Puff, most vexed by this insult, stared after Handsome.
From Literature
For investors, this raises a vexing valuation issue.
A few of those sightings have continued to vex military investigators.
“The Tragedy of Coriolanus” presents a more complex and even vexing view of its title character and his rise and fall.
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.
