vex
/veks/
Definition
- Verb:
- To annoy, irritate, or cause mild anger: To make someone feel slightly angry, bothered, or frustrated, often through persistent minor actions.
- To puzzle, confuse, or bewilder: To cause someone to feel perplexed or troubled by a problem or mystery that is difficult to understand or solve.
- (Archaic/Literary) To agitate or disturb physically: To trouble or stir up, as in troubling the sea.
Examples of Usage
- To annoy or irritate:
- The constant noise from the construction site began to vex the residents.
- It vexes me when people are consistently late.
- To puzzle or bewilder:
- The complex riddle vexed the contestants for hours.
- The scientist was vexed by the unexpected results of the experiment.
- (Archaic/Literary):
- Winds vexed the sea into a fury.
Advanced Usage
- "Vexed question": A problem or issue that is difficult to resolve and causes much discussion or debate.
- The origin of the universe remains a vexed question for philosophers and scientists.
- To be vexed with/at someone/something: To be annoyed or irritated by someone or something.
- She was deeply vexed with her colleague for missing the deadline.
Variants and Related Words
- Vexing (adjective): Causing annoyance, frustration, or perplexity.
- We faced a vexing dilemma with no clear solution.
- Vexation (noun): The state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried; or the thing that causes this feeling.
- To his great vexation, the package was lost in the mail.
- Vexatious (adjective): Causing or tending to cause annoyance, frustration, or worry, especially in a legal context (e.g., a vexatious lawsuit).
- The company was tied up in vexatious litigation for years.
Synonyms
- Annoy: To disturb or irritate, especially by repeated acts.
- Irritate: To excite to impatience or anger, often by a persistent action.
- Bother: To cause trouble or annoyance to.
- Puzzle: To cause someone to feel confused because they cannot understand something.
- Perplex: To make someone feel completely baffled or puzzled.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Vex" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)
Related Idioms
- A vexation of spirit: A source of deep frustration or annoyance (a literary phrase).
- The endless paperwork was a true vexation of spirit.
Verb
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be a mystery or bewildering to
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This beats me!
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Got me--I don't know the answer!
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a vexing problem
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This question really stuck me
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subject to prolonged examination, discussion, or deliberation
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vex the subject of the death penalty
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change the arrangement or position of
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disturb the peace of mind of; afflict with mental agitation or distress
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I cannot sleep--my daughter's health is worrying me
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cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
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Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
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It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
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