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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 film isn’t interested in the ethical issues of a boss sleeping with her underling or how exactly Jackie garnered such a vexing reputation. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 8 June 2026 University presidents and athletic directors in conferences across the country are slowly becoming comfortable with the move, which is seen by many as the best way to address vexing issues like player compensation, the transfer portal and a competition calendar spinning out of control. — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
Verb
This scene among the pines and mountains of a small central Vermont town reveals how Plainfield, with a population of nearly 1,000 people, is finding a way to solve a problem vexing communities across the United States. — Olivia Fletcher, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026 Medical schools, though, are facing a vexing quandary over AI scribes. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 3 Aug. 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
  • For general appreciators, the series’ excesses and redundancies are likely to be frustrating, as are its frequent lack of focus and general sense of over-sanitization.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, Infiniti’s wide-eyed portrait of a prodigy is equal parts inspired and frustrating.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • Kids in all three countries loved learning dances from TikTok and annoying their siblings.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, this would depend on whether the managers choose to pick their strongest teams in what for some is a meaningless, even annoying extra fixture, for squads who just want to go home.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • The answer involves two puzzling sets of teeth, fake saliva — and some personal experimentation.
    — Pien Huang, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
  • In patients with post-herpetic neuralgia, while the shingles rash has cleared with seemingly normal-looking skin, skin biopsies show a puzzling reduction in sensory nerve fibers in the painful areas.
    — Andrew Bubak, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Adjective
  • Both can get the job done, but chemical exfoliants may be too irritating for those with sensitive skin or excessively dry scalps.
    — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Despite its splashy unveiling, Project Zenith is more about making the OS less irritating for developers than adding any groundbreaking capabilities.
    — Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritating
Verb
  • Lane Kiffin will stroll off the LSU bus later this afternoon, acting as if none of the noise is bothering him.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The injury was something that had been bothering Smith throughout training camp, but the decision to get surgery wasn’t made until recently.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 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
  • More than a month after Perez Hilton appeared in a disturbing livestream appearing to engage in acts of self-harm at this Miami-area home, his family is addressing the rumor mill.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
  • As tensions rise and boundaries begin to blur, their grandmother’s frail presence takes on an increasingly disturbing quality, turning a once-idyllic summer into a haunting passage into adulthood.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • However, in-flight cabin etiquette is only one part of what’s bugging travelers this summer.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
Definition of bugging

Browse Nearby Words

vexes
vexing
vexingly
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Cite this Entry

“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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