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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vexing
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The crumbling support columns are so weak a subcontractor quit trying to repair them because the work was so dangerous, vexing architects and engineers when their poor condition was first uncovered last fall.
—Richard Mize, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The hydrogen leaks and unrelated helium blockages stalled the flight for two months, coming on top of years of vexing delays and cost overruns.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Adjective
The most recent one, starting in November 2022, saw Iger confronting vexing issues like AI, labor unrest and the need to lay off thousands of workers amid sweeping industry consolidation.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The crumbling support columns are so weak a subcontractor quit trying to repair them because the work was so dangerous, vexing architects and engineers when their poor condition was first uncovered last fall.
—Richard Mize, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The question of how to make a business out of those connections has proven as vexing for Wang and Bluesky as for any number of earlier startups, and the community’s top users have been experimenting with a variety of ways to make money.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The hydrogen leaks and unrelated helium blockages stalled the flight for two months, coming on top of years of vexing delays and cost overruns.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexing
Adjective
-
Few things are more frustrating than a disruptive night’s sleep.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
This scenario deprives producers, sales agents, and distributors of global monetization opportunities across all types of films, while frustrating audiences who discover these titles but can’t watch them.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.—
Tyler Hayes,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The Boeing order is especially puzzling as China is rolling out its indigenous C919 passenger aircraft with great fanfare.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
But as of last month, the FDA has twice opted not to approve RP1, puzzling researchers and worrying drug developers.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Driver recovery can automate what used to be an irritating manual process.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
-
No-see-um bites may be painful and irritating.—
Eva Flowe
May 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Tell him that his approach to the trip is bothering you.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
-
Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The slow starts are baffling to Becht.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
As the castle’s internal order collapses under the weight of a string of baffling crimes, Araki strikes a fragile alliance with Kuroda Kanbei – a razor-minded captive languishing in his own dungeon – in a race to root out a traitor before Oda’s army closes in.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s something disturbing about watching these already commonplace delusions about ChatGPT — Your particular version has a soul!—
Vulture,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
-
But as dubious therapies and unsettling postcolonial rituals blur the line between wellness and manipulation, Alexa begins uncovering the disturbing forces hidden beneath the retreat’s seductive façade.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.—
Sarah Linn
April 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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So, all the things people were yelling about with Southwest weren’t bugging me.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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