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
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
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Willow Quantum Achieves What Supercomputers Simply Cannot In the Nature article announcing Willow, Google claimed that the new system could solve a mathematical problem that has vexed scientists for decades called Random Circuit Sampling, or RCS.
—Karl Freund, Forbes, 11 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
Congestion has vexed airline leaders.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Willow Quantum Achieves What Supercomputers Simply Cannot In the Nature article announcing Willow, Google claimed that the new system could solve a mathematical problem that has vexed scientists for decades called Random Circuit Sampling, or RCS.
—Karl Freund, Forbes, 11 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
-
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
-
And she couldn’t be bothered to start things up again.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
No one has ever bothered me for doing this.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The office had been working with elderly, low-income and disabled people to see what most confused them about SSA processes and what would most help them if these were redesigned.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Forgive some Colorado Avalanche fans if they’re confused by the lack of noise as training camp beckons.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Finally, the object had an unusual shape that puzzled astronomers.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This mystery puzzled scientists because ice was not supposed to behave like that.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
An exasperated Sabalenka was quick to blow up in the press conference after the Centre Court defeat, claiming her opponent should have apologized for celebrating a winner too early.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share