as in annoyed
subjected to and reacting with irritation
my dog was clearly vexed with me for having been gone all week, and hardly greeted me when I came home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also vext
1
as in bothered
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
my coworkers' loud, endless conversations vexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in confused
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a mystery novel that is sure to vex even the canniest readers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 vexed
Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2025
Artist agents find their roles less vexed, embracing a new value system that hews closer to the way the market actually operates.
—Natasha Degen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024
Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Those obstacles, which vexed Harris and her predecessors, are part of the same curse that could shape the future presidential prospects of Vice President-elect JD Vance.
—Ian Prasad Philbrick, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Adjective
More broadly, Cairo seeks to redeem the vexed legacy of Camp David.
—Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2025
Artist agents find their roles less vexed, embracing a new value system that hews closer to the way the market actually operates.
—Natasha Degen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Chase Field has long vexed the MLB franchise.
—Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Those obstacles, which vexed Harris and her predecessors, are part of the same curse that could shape the future presidential prospects of Vice President-elect JD Vance.
—Ian Prasad Philbrick, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed
Adjective
-
But Georgi did not notice much of a difference, and seemed annoyed with his wife.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
21 July 2025
-
The detectives are a mix of annoyed and concerned as Alison keeps putting her neck on the line, courting danger.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
With the exception of the Russell 2000, which gained 1%, none of the major indices bothered to get out of bed the day after Christmas.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
In fact, if you can’t be bothered even to reach for the remote to select this new button, the latest firmware update will also automatically start playing the next episode after a countdown.—
John Archer,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Many people get confused by these forms which contain code and jargon that rarely offer a clear explanation of anything.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Not to be confused with DEI training, skill building is a way to help people improve their communication skills, negotiation style and overall understanding of relevant topics, all while leveling up professionally.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Try not to get irritated if someone checks in on you when expressive Mercury aligns with Mars on August 18.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
28 July 2025
-
Make sure not to go over any areas that are inflamed or irritated, which can cause bleeding. Rinse your face with a gentle cleanser and proceed with the rest of your skin-care routine.—
Sarah Y. Wu,
Glamour,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Video footage shows two exasperated survivors being rescued on a smaller boat as choppy waters rock the vessel from side to side, illustrating the rough conditions at sea.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
19 July 2025
-
Look at the red cheeks, pie-dish eyes, exasperated brows and open mouth.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Cafu, on the other hand, will be entering the ring with plenty of confidence and hunger, knowing that an upset win could change his life and put him at the center of the super flyweight spotlight.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
All of the under-the-table deals are out in the open, generally speaking, and folks are upset.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
JPMorgan Chase, the biggest bank in America, has been angry for years about being forced to hand over customer data to fintech companies for free.—
Jeff Kauflin,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Hastings said he’s heard from people angry about State Farm’s rates.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
While there have been notable declines in other major categories when compared to the first six months of 2024, crimes such as rape and aggravated assaults saw a sharp spike of 47% and 41% respectively in the first half of 2025.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
22 July 2025
-
Bautista-Reyes illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 during the Biden administration and was arrested by the Wayne Township, New Jersey, Police Department May 3 for aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share