1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
my coworkers' loud, endless conversations vexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perplex
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a mystery novel that is sure to vex even the canniest readers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of vex
These are accompanied by jarring, discordant music tone outbursts accented with a vexing metallic buzz.
—
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
As much as the parameter-less financial model of the modern major college athletic department vexes leaders, the realities of the transfer portal are a close second — because they are linked.
—Mac Engel
april 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of both nations, which share the island of Hispaniola and a vexing history, announced that the Dominican Republic would restore commercial flights between Santo Domingo and Cap-Haïtien for the first time in over two years, beginning May 1.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The question of how to make a business out of those connections has proven as vexing for Wang and Bluesky as for any number of earlier startups, and the community’s top users have been experimenting with a variety of ways to make money.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vex
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
As much as the parameter-less financial model of the modern major college athletic department vexes leaders, the realities of the transfer portal are a close second — because they are linked.
—Mac Engel
april 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of both nations, which share the island of Hispaniola and a vexing history, announced that the Dominican Republic would restore commercial flights between Santo Domingo and Cap-Haïtien for the first time in over two years, beginning May 1.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
The question of how to make a business out of those connections has proven as vexing for Wang and Bluesky as for any number of earlier startups, and the community’s top users have been experimenting with a variety of ways to make money.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vex
Verb
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Ever been annoyed after Windows setup that your user folder has a weird name?—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2026
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The suspension is a nice blend between comfort and sport—the sweet spot where breaks in the asphalt don’t annoy, yet body roll never feels excessive.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Aryna Sabalenka being asked to dance after defeating Naomi Osaka in the French Open has one former American tennis star perplexed.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Democrats have been particularly perplexed given the state's top-two primary system, which places all candidates on a single ballot regardless of party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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This was a club that embraced African players before much of Europe bothered to scout the continent seriously.—
Zohran Mamdani,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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In my dream world where Emmys voters bother to watch Bait, Khan is a shoo-in.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2026
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Former Republican state senator Jeff Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said he was bewildered by the governor's proposal.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Additionally, environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, pollution, pollen, dust, pet dander, laundry soaps, fragrances and more can irritate children’s skin or breathing passages.—
Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
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Why is my behavior or anybody else's behavior irritating you?—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, the ideologues of Russian imperialism have turned to random musings and belligerent hate speech, which seems intended to confuse rather than convince.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
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Relocating a bird's nest is confusing for the parents, dangerous for the eggs, and, in most cases, against the law.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
Verb
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His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
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Get clear about what’s bugging you.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
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But he was baffled as to why people are now incensed over pickleball courts.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
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For more than four minutes Darnold drove downfield, connecting on three of four passes, baffling the pass rushers, bleeding the clock, and by the time the Seahawks finally gave the ball back, the Rams had only 25 seconds to live.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vex. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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