as in frustrating
causing annoyance
the constantly changing schedule was somewhat vexing, but I coped
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in annoying
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 puzzling
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 vexing
Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Why an audience member would want to return, though, would be an even more vexing mystery than whatever happened to Riley Brennan.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Take time to dig out vexing taproots, such as those of dandelions and mulberry seedlings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Adjective
The site brags that 30% of Fortune 100 companies use Catalant to solve vexing problems.
—Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Why an audience member would want to return, though, would be an even more vexing mystery than whatever happened to Riley Brennan.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
Sluggish consumption, a manufacturing glut and prolonged woes in the country’s vast property sector are among the main challenges now vexing Beijing policymakers and businesses.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Take time to dig out vexing taproots, such as those of dandelions and mulberry seedlings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexing
Adjective
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The redshirt senior quarterback is the crown jewel of the Knights’ 2026 transfer class, bringing with him the hope of improvement from a frustrating 5-7 season in 2025.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sees expanding MARTA into Cobb and Gwinnett counties as a key step toward better regional connection, while metro Atlanta residents continue to struggle with traffic congestion that’s both frustrating and dangerous.—
Riley Bunch,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sometimes, rage bait can be relatively harmless – a recipe that contains disgusting food combinations or someone annoying their pet, partner or sibling.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
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But what’s been annoying me even more is that these women should have been trained by producers to start recording on their own cell phones if drama starts to unfold after cameras go down.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This puzzling decision stems from an earlier controversy.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
12 Jan. 2026
-
This mystery is puzzling because many of these galaxies still contain gas, the basic fuel needed to form new stars.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What an irritating phrase, Helen thinks.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Many of us suffer from skin problems, chapped lips, or an irritating cough when the air is too dry.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The pilot of a private jet reportedly made an eerie discovery while flying thousands of feet over Rhode Island, marking the latest in unexplained encounters baffling both experts and civilians alike.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
22 Dec. 2025
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From financial wipeouts to baffling misreads of beloved source material, some of Hollywood’s most notorious flops began as video games.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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According to The Marshall Project, federal officers fired on at least nine people in their vehicles over a four-month period, evidence of a disturbing pattern.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Zhang was quickly identified as a suspect based on her allegedly increasingly disturbing behavior, according to authorities.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Dec. 2025
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Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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