vex

vex

transitive verb \ˈveks\

vexed also vextvex·ing

Definition of VEX

1

a : to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to <the restaurant is vexed by slow service>

b : to bring physical distress to <a headache vexed him all morning>

c : to irritate or annoy by petty provocations : harass <vexed by the children>

d : puzzle, baffle <a problem to vex the keenest wit>

2

: to shake or toss about

Examples of VEX

1. This problem has vexed researchers for years.
2. We were vexed by the delay.

Origin of VEX

Middle English, from Anglo-French vexer, from Latin vexare to agitate, harry; probably akin to Latin vehere to convey — more at way

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VEX

Synonyms

aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, itch, nark [British], nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, irritate

Related Words

hassle, heckle; nag; inflame (also enflame), provoke, rouse; badger, bait, bullyrag (also ballyrag), devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil; agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry; affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage

Near Antonyms

appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

See Synonym Discussion at annoy

Rhymes with VEX

dex, ex, flex, hex, lex, rex, sex, specs, x