as in frustrating
causing annoyance
the constantly changing schedule was somewhat vexing, but I coped
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 vexing
Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
What follows are the observations of a trio of housing industry veterans, each with different takes on the extent of -- and possible ways to chip away at – the vexing problem.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Al Weaver, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
One vexing issue that adds to the complexity is that some AIs are better than other ones at figuring out certain types of things.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Adjective
The Academy doesn’t care, the audiences don’t care, the critics care only about what’s good (a vexing habit, that) and not whether the films in question are actual TV movies or just theatrical features that wandered from the path.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
What follows are the observations of a trio of housing industry veterans, each with different takes on the extent of -- and possible ways to chip away at – the vexing problem.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
But how to stop the train and ultimately turn it around remains a major question that is vexing lawmakers.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
One vexing issue that adds to the complexity is that some AIs are better than other ones at figuring out certain types of things.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexing
Adjective
-
Inflation remains stubbornly high and the economic outlook subdued, frustrating efforts to repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Bare patches dotting an otherwise green lawn can be frustrating.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
A lot of noise around the Chiefs The Chiefs have become a mainstay in NFL discourse by winning three Super Bowls in the Mahomes era, and annoying an endless list of fan bases with their ability to overcome the odds and rally for a late win at an unprecedented rate.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The Sounders’ defenders swarmed Messi from the first minute, and midfielder Obed Vargas was particularly physical, annoying the Argentine icon time and again.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Your appetite might differ, but for me, nine novels in, all this code-cracking and jigsaw-puzzling is no longer thrilling.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
This is puzzling since successful organizations focus on people, processes, and cultural change besides technology implementation.—
London School of Economics,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The gentle cream is designed for daily use and is fragrance-free and non-irritating.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The irritating truth is that there’s no shoe that’s absolutely perfect for every single runner.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even scrambling around, his knee was bothering him.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
-
There's other important bathroom etiquette travelers should keep in mind to avoid bothering flight attendants.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In May, Kennedy vowed to find what caused autism by September, baffling scientists who near-unanimously believe there is no one cause of the condition.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
This is stuttering, crashing and other issues, even on high-end hardware way above recommended specs, which is baffling some.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Pros Leaf raking is quiet, so there are no time constraints; Collecting leaves manually not only avoids disturbing neighbors or wildlife, is also does not cause air pollution.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The attack adds to a disturbing pattern of violence targeting religious communities across the United States, including the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured 17 others.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Taylor is accustomed to playing forceful characters who have perplexing emotions about motherhood, and in A Thousand and One, Taylor earned her stripes as a performer and acclaim.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The criminal justice system In early April, a man failed to show up for his pretrial conference in Canyon County, perplexing his lawyer.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share