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
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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 puzzled
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vexed
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The vexed issue has been a matter of negotiation between actors’ union Equity and producer trade body Pact for more than a year.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Of course, the genre dictates that a seemingly sure thing be vexed, and this rom-com is no different.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Adjective
Brooding in the historical background are the plantations, the vexed issue of where the money comes from that underwrites all this charm, these impeccable manners, this unsteady gaiety.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The vexed issue has been a matter of negotiation between actors’ union Equity and producer trade body Pact for more than a year.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
These sorts of technical challenges have vexed nuclear advocates who are fighting against a decades-long stagnation in nuclear development, triggered primarily by safety concerns.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Of course, the genre dictates that a seemingly sure thing be vexed, and this rom-com is no different.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed
Adjective
-
Just not as annoyed as his fan base, which hasn’t celebrated a title in four decades.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Then gets annoyed when people ask him about it.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Korda was bothered by back pain starting in the second set, but played through the pain.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This might make observers wonder why Lee even bothered to introduce the measure.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The remains of these unknown creatures often puzzled their discoverers.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This has puzzled researchers because lithium metal is soft, while the ceramic electrolytes used in these batteries are rigid.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The area may be slightly swollen, red, itchy and irritated.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Both ingredients blanket dry, irritated skin and deeply restore moisture for that signature K-beauty glass-skin glow.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Three people told the Washington Examiner that Scott had become paranoid that Lewandowski was spying on him through his work phone and had bugged his office.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
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Underwood went on The Bachelor as a straight man, made a connection with Randolph, broke up with her, bugged her car, and then was hit with a restraining order.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The decision has baffled Apatow’s team and inner circle.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
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One administrator told me that he was baffled, but that the embassy staff seemed confident that something would come of it.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After the Canadiens’ loss to the Sharks on Saturday, Lane Hutson was somewhat exasperated that issues the Canadiens have talked about for months keep coming up.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
16 Mar. 2026
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Documentarian Geeta Gandbhir retraces this slow-moving tragedy through the body camera footage of the exasperated officers who know that the caller, not the children, is the problem.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An immigration judge has previously found that she would be persecuted by the Israeli government if she was removed there.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Some had been granted the opportunity to stay after proving to immigration judges that they would probably be persecuted if returned to their homeland.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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