VEXATIOUS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

vexatious

adjective

vek-ˈsā-shəs

Definition of vexatious

as in annoying

causing annoyance those vexatious phone calls from telemarketers during the dinner hour

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vexatious 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 Both were armed with their own social media companies, spewing ad hominem attacks, with vexatious claims playing out in public. — Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025 Its reflexive lawsuit is frivolous and vexatious without merit. — Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for vexatious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexatious

Adjective

Of course, the list of invertebrates include mosquitoes, gnats, yellow flies, ticks and other biting pests, which are most annoying June through August but can be nuisances at other times of the year.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
That gets into the very annoying realization that some infinities are bigger than other infinities, which is mathematically true and conceptually uncomfortable.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 July 2026

Definition of annoying

Adjective

There’s nothing more frustrating than booking a trip to paradise only to have your holiday consumed with bad weather.

— Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
In a matter of seconds, the Current’s home victory over the NWSL’s top team turned into a frustrating draw.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of frustrating

Adjective

December 22 – January 19 A small adjustment could make your whole day less irritating.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
The irritating and inflammatory nature of the smog caused hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to become short of breath or to develop symptoms from underlying heart disease.

— Rebecca Florsheim, STAT, 17 July 2026

Definition of irritating

Adjective

In a handwritten criminal complaint, Patty’s ex-wife described a disturbing physical altercation that allegedly left her with a swollen arm, neck pain and a bump on her head.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
The 1981 film revolves around a woman who begins exhibiting increasingly disturbing behavior after asking her husband for a divorce.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 29 July 2026

Definition of disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

vexations

vexatious

vexed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Vexatious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexatious. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of vexatious

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

sultry

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes