vexed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈvekst How to pronounce vexed (audio)
Definition of vexednext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vexed

2 of 2

verb

variants also vext
past tense of vex
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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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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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
Adjective
How to do that was a very vexed and complicated problem. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 From his perspective, whatever happened was easily resolved — but working on a megahit can make matters more vexed. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026
Verb
He has also grown increasingly vexed by the war between Israel and Iran, which has driven up gas prices, rattled financial markets and stoked concerns about inflation. — CBS News, 14 June 2026 His wealth explosion has inspired his devotees, exhilarated his investors, vexed the skeptical and enraged those calling for higher taxes on the ultra-rich. — Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed
  1. annoyed
  2. bothered
  3. puzzled
  4. irritated
  5. bugged
  6. baffled
  7. exasperated
  8. persecuted
Adjective
  • Steve was likely annoyed with Lilly, weary of revisiting his plan, and confident in his rationale from past experience.
    — Susan MacKenty Brady, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • Hardin is more amused than annoyed, particularly given the origin of the FTD Burger.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of annoyed
Verb
  • The knee has mostly bothered Ohtani on the mound, rather than at the plate.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • As of the time of this writing, almost four months after its publication, the text still contains a typo in its opening lines, suggesting to me that no one close to the author has even bothered to read it with care.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Definition of bothered
Verb
  • First, Miguel is puzzled when Chuy and his parents, Rosalío (Fernando Cuautl) and Margarita (Leidi Gutiérrez), abruptly leave town without warning.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Gold not glittering As for gold, while the yellow metal has traditionally been sought out by kings and paupers throughout history alike, the anaemic gold price has puzzled experts.
    — Lim Hui Jie,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Definition of puzzled
Adjective
  • And more irritated consumers clearly have started bringing their own bags.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • If your eyes, throat or nose start to become dry and irritated, it may be related to increasing air pollution from the Claremont Fire.
    — Hali Smith July 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 July 2026
Definition of irritated
Verb
  • The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, a law-enforcement agency known as NABU, had bugged Mindich’s apartment in Kyiv, and detectives picked up his conversations about Fire Point.
    — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • The group alleged that as well as hacking their phones, journalists from the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday tapped landlines and bugged houses and cars.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of bugged
Verb
  • Grantham said he was baffled by Wall Street banks’ recommendations to buy SpaceX for their clients.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 July 2026
  • Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
Definition of baffled
Adjective
  • Jack Loder, a clearly exasperated digital content producer for the Giants’ flagship station KNBR, posted a two-minute video on X shortly after the game that singled out Webb for criticism.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • For a variety of reasons that weren’t immediately entirely clear, there was a comprehensive and fundamental breakdown in access to the stadium that left many exasperated or furious.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Definition of exasperated
Verb
  • Also on Wednesday, Blume returned a Pablo Picasso bust, Fernande/Beatrice (1905), to the descendants of German-Jewish dealer Alfred Flechtheim, who was persecuted by the Reich, reports TAN.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026
  • Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have been persecuted.
    — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of persecuted

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vexatious
vexed
vexes
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Cite this Entry

“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of vexed for Spanish Speakers

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