VEX Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'vex' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vex are annoy , bother , and irk . While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," 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

Q: Where would 'annoy' be a reasonable alternative to 'vex'?

The synonyms annoy and vex are sometimes interchangeable, but annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness. // their constant complaining annoys us

Q: When can 'bother' be used instead of 'vex'?

While the synonyms bother and vex are close in meaning, bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind. // don't bother me while I'm reading

Q: When is it sensible to use 'irk' instead of 'vex'?

In some situations, the words irk and vex are roughly equivalent. However, irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit. // careless waste irks the boss

vex

verb

ˈveks

Definition of vex

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts my coworkers' loud, endless conversations vexed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to perplex

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty a mystery novel that is sure to vex even the canniest readers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vex are annoy, bother, and irk. While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," 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

Where would annoy be a reasonable alternative to vex?

The synonyms annoy and vex are sometimes interchangeable, but annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.

their constant complaining annoys us

When can bother be used instead of vex?

While the synonyms bother and vex are close in meaning, bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.

don't bother me while I'm reading

When is it sensible to use irk instead of vex?

In some situations, the words irk and vex are roughly equivalent. However, irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.

careless waste irks the boss

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 vex 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 Because the 59-year-old MAGA actor has stumbled into a debate that’s been vexing DC fans for more than six decades. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 Early in negotiations, Tehran had been eager to secure China’s backing as a guarantor in a peace deal, but Beijing has shown little interest in playing such a formal - and potentially vexed - role. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 June 2026 House Democrats are betting that a future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries wouldn’t struggle with the type of aisle-crossing rebellion that’s often vexed current Speaker Mike Johnson. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vex

Verb

Paraguay’s tactics, seeking to frustrate and disrupt France, had annoyed Henry as well as the current team and coach.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Others are annoyed that its ambiguous language will create confusion over how — or if — the state will enforce compliance.

— Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Definition of annoy

Verb

And Wednesday’s doubleheader — thanks to a Monday rainout that perplexed Counsell — certainly didn’t help the pitching staff.

— Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Sometimes those editing swings make sense, like incorporating more social-media posts and group chats, but other times the stylistic choices simply perplex.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 25 June 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

For three years straight, he’s kept up a pace that bewilders the industry’s leading comics.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 June 2026
The narrator and his wife find that their attachment to the charismatic and cryptic Chibi grows with the cat’s increasing visits, in a way that bewilders them but somehow bonds them closer together.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

Avoid potentially irritating actives Immediately after shaving is not the time to reach for your strongest skin-care products.

— Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 5 July 2026
While some of my linen pieces feel scratchy, this one is ultra soft and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

— Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of irritate

Verb

The group alleged that as well as hacking their phones, journalists from the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday tapped landlines and bugged houses and cars.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 7 July 2026
What really bugs me about this moment, and about the battle and its aftermath, is the lack of feeling.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of bug

Verb

His focus on the voting bill, instead of signing one that tackles a top issue for voters, has left some GOP strategists baffled.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Keith played conservative social climber Margo Leadbetter, who is baffled by her neighbor Tom's sustainability-centric lifestyle with wife Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal).

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of baffle

Browse Nearby Words

vets

vex

vexation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Vex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vex. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of vex

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on vex

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes