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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vexed
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
Though a seven shot gap to leader Spaun is more than closable for a mercurial talent chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Players crown, Scheffler – typically unflappable – looked uncharacteristically vexed after issues with the strong winds and putting.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Aug. 2025
Congestion has vexed airline leaders.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Adjective
But best of all here is the vexed mother/daughter relationship, which can echo Lizzy’s terms with her own mother.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
Though a seven shot gap to leader Spaun is more than closable for a mercurial talent chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Players crown, Scheffler – typically unflappable – looked uncharacteristically vexed after issues with the strong winds and putting.
—Jack Bantock, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
The decision has vexed supporters of the program and of journalism in general, who charged Paramount executives risked tarnishing a media brand that has long sought to hold power to account and to probe events with an independent lens.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Aug. 2025
Congestion has vexed airline leaders.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed
Adjective
-
The downside is that Dylan was likely feeling very annoyed the whole time.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
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Until one day she was interrupted by an annoyed Philip Poole, the head coach of the Ascent.—
Emma Moon,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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No one has bothered to figure out the degree to which that alters the scaling laws of AI models until now.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
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The two were hardly bothered, though.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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It should not be confused with Article 5, the cornerstone of the alliance, which states an armed attack on one NATO ally will be considered an act of violence against all members and prompt assistance to the member concerned.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In a nutshell, people are easily irritated and inclined to get caught up in nasty power struggles because they’re entrenched in their own views.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
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Fulton & Roark Fulton & Rourke deodorant not only comes in a huge variety of the brand’s elevated scents, but also contains aloe barbadensis leaf extract, which soothes and hydrates irritated skin.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From Scepticism to Confidence In my discussions, executives often admit being puzzled about how to approach AI.—
London School of Economics,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The move has puzzled many since ending the program would bar every company, including oil firms, from accessing federal subsidies for capturing carbon or producing hydrogen fuel.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, the usually reliable Molly Shannon delivers an inexplicably manic performance of exasperated adult ineptitude as the school principal trying, with a lot of faffing about but very little urgency, to track the kids down.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2025
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The boy’s father, an exasperated man at the mercy of an Amazon-like delivery job that docks him for every second he so much as thinks about his son, is the only person who even wants to go through the effort of looking for him.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Danni-Elle Townsend, who’s made a solid impression in PPA internationals this year, was upset in the first round by 43-yr old qualifier and eventual Bronze medalist from Japan Rika Fujiwara, a former WTA tennis pro who toured for more than 20 years before retiring from Tennis in 2020.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Mourners, many of whom were visibly upset and wearing Walmart uniforms, placed electric candles at the memorial.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But Newsom seems to have found his footing nationally by catering to angry anti-Trump Democrats, his conciliatory remarks in the aftermath of Kirk’s shooting notwithstanding.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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For example, long wait times, high prices and confusing models have left people angry with the car sales industry.—
Brandon Aversano,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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