vexatious

adjective

vex·​a·​tious vek-ˈsā-shəs 

1

a

: causing vexation : distressing

vexatious delays

b

: intended to harass

a vexatious lawsuit

2

: full of disorder or stress : troubled

a vexatious period in her life

vexatiously adverb

vexatiousness noun

Synonyms of vexatious

• annoying
• frustrating
• irritating
• disturbing

Examples of vexatious in a Sentence

those vexatious phone calls from telemarketers during the dinner hour

Recent Examples on the Web

After the new law came into force in 2024, a large number of vexatious complaints were launched in protest, and gender critical and trans campaigners argued over which group most needed the law’s protection. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

On one side is challenger Holly Cook, who has filed for bankruptcy twice, been held in contempt of court on nine counts, been pursued by multiple collections agencies and once was labeled a vexatious litigant, court records showed. — Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026

The federal vexatious litigator statute allows the court to impose sanctions on a case by case basis for vexatious conduct. — Jack Greiner, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Feb. 2026

Decades later, he was declared a vexatious litigant by the High Court, Federal Court and Queensland Supreme Court, a label that barred him from filing any more claims. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for vexatious

• arenaceous
• argillaceous
• carbonaceous
• contumacious
• coriaceous
• efficacious
• farinaceous
• foliaceous
• membranaceous
• ochraceous
• olivaceous
• ostentatious

Kids Definition

vexatious

adjective

vex·​a·​tious vek-ˈsā-shəs 

: causing vexation : annoying, distressing

vexatious delays

vexatiously adverb

vexatiousness noun

Legal Definition

vexatious

adjective

vex·​a·​tious vek-ˈsā-shəs 

: lacking a sufficient ground and serving only to annoy or harass when viewed objectively

disciplined the attorney for engaging in vexatious litigation