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
Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Even more vexing for me, the congressional boundary is only a block away.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
By pressing on with the second phase of the ceasefire, Washington and its mediator partners will need to tackle the vexing challenges of disarming Hamas, further Israeli withdrawal tied to the disarmament and deploying an international peacekeeping force.
—Reuters, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Adjective
Beyond the promise of fixing one of the world’s most vexing stresses, Luffu points to the burgeoning market for AI startups focused on serving average consumers rather than big businesses.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Even more vexing for me, the congressional boundary is only a block away.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Living inside a creative mind responsible for a work of art that never existed is a vexing proposition.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
By pressing on with the second phase of the ceasefire, Washington and its mediator partners will need to tackle the vexing challenges of disarming Hamas, further Israeli withdrawal tied to the disarmament and deploying an international peacekeeping force.
—Reuters, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexing
Adjective
-
Enough, at least, to be satisfied with what came of a sometimes frustrating season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The possibilities for either an overload of unearned feelings or a frustrating reversal back to darkness loom threateningly.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Michigan's moose population has stagnated after being reintroduced in the 1980s, puzzling scientists.—
Free Press staff,
Freep.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Polestar’s willingness to deviate from the status quo of carmaking was commendable, but its strategies have been puzzling since the very beginning.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The power plant doesn’t just sound irritating, nearby homeowners say.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Some have threatened to seek relief in courtrooms from the irritating happenings near their once-quiet homes.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Georgia basketball’s matchup with Tennessee ended in baffling fashion Wednesday night.—
Olivia Sayer,
AJC.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
The stumblebum energy disarms us, which makes the gruesome cruelty of the kills that much more disturbing.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
-
On Wednesday, Givens described the allegations accusing her of allowing a staff member to impersonate her during a court hearing as disturbing.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And also, Bill has to be home and also not bugging me.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
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Clara could hear Dune’s sister, Fern, in the background bugging Dune to resume their chess game.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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