vexing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈvek-siŋ How to pronounce vexing (audio)
Definition of vexingnext
as in frustrating
causing annoyance the constantly changing schedule was somewhat vexing, but I coped

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vexing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of vex
1
as in annoying
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 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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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 vexing
Adjective
The annual Group of 7 summit for decades has been an occasion for the heads of state of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the United States to meet as friends and try to hash out a collective approach to the vexing problems of the day. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026 Cardholders struggle with inflation, interest rates Cardholders are still struggling with a vexing combination of elevated inflation and interest rates. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Verb
Nestled in the oldest armory in Maryland is a set of Civil War-era photographs vexing a small team of military historians. — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026 But the reality is that there are no easy solutions to this problem vexing the White House. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexing
  1. frustrating
  2. annoying
  3. puzzling
  4. irritating
  5. bothering
  6. baffling
  7. disturbing
  8. bugging
Adjective
  • The result can be a frustrating cycle in which borrowers repeatedly pay down balances only to rebuild them when another expense arises.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • And the amount that show business and comedy have changed — the strikes and mergers and COVID and the rest of it — has been really frustrating.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • That unexpected fandom has grown over the past two years, with unlikely converts taking to the internet’s alleyways to spread the good word—and, in the process, annoying the doubters.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Kids in all three countries loved learning dances from TikTok and annoying their siblings.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • Researchers are still puzzling through what happened to the ancient Maya civilization, which mysteriously dwindled.
    — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
  • To read her book is to be reminded that childhood can be a puzzling passage for anyone, even in an ostensibly simpler time and place.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • Mature skin should be treated with a mild, non-irritating cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils or irritate dry and sensitive types.
    — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The cold temperature will slow down the enzymes and ease the irritating effects.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritating
Verb
  • His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • The latest weakening of criteria is baffling if not unsurprising given the agency’s pitifully weak, unserious leadership.
    — Diana Urban, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of baffling
Adjective
  • One of the most disturbing reasons given was that the DOT will never install a speed reducer closer than a distance of 1,000 feet (nearly a quarter of a mile) from a speed camera.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Family members reported objects disappearing, beds lifting, unexplained odors, and other disturbing occurrences in the house.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • The Department of Justice’s prosecution of a Saudi national for allegedly bugging an OpenAI conference room is causing anxiety among OpenAI employees, many of whom are foreign nationals.
    — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • On Monday, a court granted the US government’s request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of bugging

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vexing
vexingly
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Cite this Entry

“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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