annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.
their constant complaining annoys us
vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.
vexed by her son's failure to clean his room
irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.
careless waste irks the boss
bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.
don't bother me while I'm reading
Examples of vex in a Sentence
This problem has vexed researchers for years.
We were vexed by the delay.
Recent Examples on the WebThe question seemed to vex the many passers-by who stopped to gape.—Priya Krishna, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024 The participation rate has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, vexing economists and the Fed, while also contributing to an imbalance of worker supply and demand.—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Successfully executing on a hybrid plan continues to vex many companies, whose tired return-to-office mandates remain difficult to enforce, and whose employees remain difficult to please.—Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024 Shootings of youths are soaring in D.C., vexing city leaders
Myamee Malloy said her family struggles with how to tell her younger siblings their young loved one is dead.—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 Recommended Peace Besieged on all sides, Israeli Arabs preach message of coexistence
The situation at the United States-Mexico border has vexed the Democratic president, who is seeking reelection in 2024.—Colleen Long, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Nov. 2023 Recently, the story has been revisited by writers and filmmakers in a wave of media projects that has vexed Ms. Mendieta, the administrator of her aunt’s estate — particularly when the works appear to focus on the death.—Kate Dwyer, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Inflation and rising interest rates are pinching urban consumers
Inflation is vexing consumers in several cities that sit near the top of the new WalletHub ranking, researchers said.—USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 Therein lies the problem: The contract was ratified in November and GM has yet to commit to the timing or other details, leaving Ruddy vexed.—Detroit Free Press, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French vexer, from Latin vexare to agitate, harry; probably akin to Latin vehere to convey — more at way
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