as in annoyed
subjected to and reacting with irritation
my dog was clearly vexed with me for having been gone all week, and hardly greeted me when I came home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also vext
1
as in bothered
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 puzzled
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 vexed
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The vexed issue has been a matter of negotiation between actors’ union Equity and producer trade body Pact for more than a year.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Leah Donnella, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Jan. 2026
That project of getting the benefits of Western civilization without its freedom and rights, that’s one that has vexed tyrants all over the world.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Adjective
Brooding in the historical background are the plantations, the vexed issue of where the money comes from that underwrites all this charm, these impeccable manners, this unsteady gaiety.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The vexed issue has been a matter of negotiation between actors’ union Equity and producer trade body Pact for more than a year.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
That loss particularly vexed me.
—Leah Donnella, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Jan. 2026
That project of getting the benefits of Western civilization without its freedom and rights, that’s one that has vexed tyrants all over the world.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed
Adjective
-
Trump remains annoyed, and Starmer is bracing to see whether the president’s anger has an impact on trans-Atlantic ties and trade.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Messi quickly got up and didn’t appear to be injured, but was visibly annoyed.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fallon then asked if she doesn’t get bothered by being too famous for the cruise.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Take a break from mundane tasks and escape into your own world, where you will not be bothered.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now, a growing chorus of tech leaders is singing the praises of AI as the key to solving the medical mystery that has puzzled physicians for millennia.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The poor rott just stood there with its tail tucked between its legs, puzzled.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Her eyes have grown more sensitive over time, and most mascaras leave them red and irritated by the end of the day.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The characterization irritated McPherson, the child psychiatrist who, along with another physician, was retained in 2014 by DHS to inspect family detention centers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Underwood went on The Bachelor as a straight man, made a connection with Randolph, broke up with her, bugged her car, and then was hit with a restraining order.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, Ladinig says Pierre Haobsh bugged Henry Han's computer with a spyware app called a keylogger.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kachel said Vank’s signature moment so far with the Plainsmen came in the regular season finale last season, when Vank baffled Western Nebraska Community College with eight innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits while racking up 10 strikeouts.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Despite reading Whitney’s letter at least twice, Henry — a narcissist — seems baffled that Whitney is not more contrite.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sexton jogged back out to the perimeter to collect an exasperated pass from Giddey, who reset himself into downhill motion off the ball.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Now, Zelenskyy’s defiance of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion has taken on an increasingly exasperated, if not desperate, tone.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The mission said intelligence agencies routinely persecuted political adversaries, falsifying evidence to justify arrests and in some cases resorting to torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Under the policy issued last March and reaffirmed last July, immigration officers did not need to give notice or an opportunity for migrants to contest their removal to third countries, so long as the government had received word from that country that deportees would not be persecuted or tortured.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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