vex

play

verb \ˈveks\

Definition of vex

vexed

also

vext

play \ˈvekst\;

vexing

transitive verb
1a : to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to the restaurant is vexed by slow serviceb : to bring physical distress to a headache vexed him all morningc : to irritate or annoy by petty provocations : harass vexed by the childrend : puzzle, baffle a problem to vex the keenest wit
2 : to shake or toss about

See vex defined for English-language learners

See vex defined for kids

Examples of vex in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of vex from the Web

But nothing vexes him more than the loss to the machine followed by its immediate retirement from the sport.

— jack dickey, SI.com, "At odds with his native Russia, Garry Kasparov tries to stay a move ahead of Putin," 10 July 2017
So how to make this old warhorse gallop like the thoroughbreds that vex the inveterate gamblers in the show’s opening number?

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Globe giving a fresh go-round to 'Guys and Dolls'," 30 June 2017
No quarterback — or perhaps even player — has vexed the Dolphins like Tom Brady.

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "Tom Brady gets yet another win over the Dolphins (and this one might be the most galling)," 28 June 2017
Deputy White House press secretary Sanders was particularly vexed by CNN.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Come back, Sean Spicer: Fiasco at White House," 27 June 2017
The question has vexed scientists for years as bee populations decline, and decline, and decline.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "The Early Birds Might Be Crowding Out the Bees," 16 June 2017
These largely popular, often bipartisan challenges have vexed numerous governmental and private enterprise operations in past decades.

— emily jane fox, The Hive, "Can Jared Kushner’s SWAT Team of Mini-Mes Protect Him in the White House?," 14 June 2017
Ozone is such a widespread pollutant that obligations to keep reducing it have vexed previous administrations.

— tony barboza, latimes.com, "As Trump's EPA delays smog rules, California vows to forge ahead," 8 June 2017
The decline in airline amenities that has vexed consumers in the back of the plane is now hitting elite frequent fliers, too.

— scott mccartney, WSJ, "Even Elite Frequent Fliers Find Fewer Airline Perks," 7 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vex.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vex

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of vex

annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness. their constant complaining annoys us vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety. vexed by her son's failure to clean his room irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit. careless waste irks the boss bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind. don't bother me while I'm reading

VEX Defined for English Language Learners

vex

play

verb

Definition of vex for English Language Learners

: to annoy or worry (someone)

VEX Defined for Kids

vex

play

verb \ˈveks\

Definition of vex for Students

vexed

;

vexing

1 : to bring trouble, distress, or worry to “It is an excellent plan to have some place where we can go to be quiet, when things vex or grieve us.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
2 : to annoy by small irritations Flies vexed the cows.