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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
These sorts of technical challenges have vexed nuclear advocates who are fighting against a decades-long stagnation in nuclear development, triggered primarily by safety concerns.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 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
Their intimate sparring reflected vexed, unresolved tensions about science and government.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
These sorts of technical challenges have vexed nuclear advocates who are fighting against a decades-long stagnation in nuclear development, triggered primarily by safety concerns.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed
Adjective
-
Everyone else would be a sitting duck, or at the very least extremely annoyed.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The secretary did not obtain permission from the White House to attend a political event and made an aggressive push for the president to endorse his son-in-law, reportedly causing senior White House staff to become annoyed with him.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Who never bothered to delete the erroneous post.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Kate headed for her car, Emily just stood there, looking puzzled.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
However, when hunting for the best thyme varieties to grow in your kitchen garden, you might be puzzled by their diverse names.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Like shea butter, aloe has soothing properties that may help calm flaky, dry or irritated scalps.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Miranda is a riff on Vogue’s former editor in chief Anna Wintour, who used to be irritated by her caricature but eventually came around.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Three people told the Washington Examiner that Scott had become paranoid that Lewandowski was spying on him through his work phone and had bugged his office.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His gift is an uncanny ability to solve crimes that leave the LAPD baffled, armed only with the savvy and dry humor reminiscent of the gumshoe detectives of the noir genre.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
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During our overnight coverage on CNN, Jim Sciutto pointed out that people watching in other countries are baffled by this American attribute.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When asked why the department can’t lease squad cars or repurpose existing vehicles, an LAPD official admitted that those options hadn’t been explored — which drew an exasperated response from Councilmember Tim McOsker.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
At one point Blunt's character yells in exasperated, rapid-fire Italian at a protesting Versace when they're interrupted by Hathaway.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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