1
as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
the repeated vexations guaranteed that she wouldn't get any work done
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in frustration
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts
he suppressed his rising vexation and answered as politely as he could
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
add cell phones to the list of vexations that theatergoers have to contend with
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vexation
Ironically, Rusty’s most charming interpersonal quality, his tendency to trust, was also his greatest self vexation.
—
Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The relationship between Trump and Putin has been a subject of fascination — and, for some, vexation — for years.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025
Speaking from the visitor’s dugout at Busch Stadium ahead of Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, DeBartolo first acknowledged fan vexation as the Nationals, who are 37-53 and in last place in the National League East, torpedo toward another dismal season.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Most of my days are spent staring at screens, much to the vexation of the two senior canines that share my office.
—PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vexation
Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The relationship between Trump and Putin has been a subject of fascination — and, for some, vexation — for years.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 15 Aug. 2025
Speaking from the visitor’s dugout at Busch Stadium ahead of Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, DeBartolo first acknowledged fan vexation as the Nationals, who are 37-53 and in last place in the National League East, torpedo toward another dismal season.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Most of my days are spent staring at screens, much to the vexation of the two senior canines that share my office.
—PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vexation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexation
Noun
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According to Sethi, a 2024 survey showed that 7 out of 10 New Yorkers have experienced some form of street harassment.—
Allen Devlin,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Aside from the monetary penalty, the settlement requires Justin and Wonderful to halt any harassment or retaliation, undergo compliance audits and take other measures at the vineyard operations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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New transparency tools aim to help travelers understand disruptions and reduce frustration during delays and cancellations.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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And while the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved covering the overrun, most of which will come from the county's unrestricted fund balance, frustration is clearly building.—
Ubah Ali,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
However, the ink was barely dry when new revelations emerged last week that pose a fresh headache for Cannon.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities said Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing a split lip and headaches.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Garcia said detectives have learned that Serrano was not connected to the initial domestic disturbance call that brought officers to the neighborhood.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Several fungal species are most often carried by dust and other soil disturbances, posing health risks when inhaled.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her hands, though inflamed and covered in red sores, also had several large areas that were smooth and lacked any signs of irritation.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Your Scalp May Be Irritated and Itchy Not washing your hair for extended periods of time can lead to irritation and an itchy scalp.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The site fell into neglect and became a blighted public nuisance.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The company could face even more penalties in a second phase of the trial set to start in May, over whether Meta created a public nuisance.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What This Means for South Florida’s Outdoor Diners For the millions of residents and visitors who eat outdoors along South Florida’s coast each year, the research reframes a familiar annoyance.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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In order to make sure horses keep their cool among loud, unpredictable crowds, officers do desensitization training with speakers, sirens, inflatable tube men, kazoos, fireworks, flags and all manner of annoyances.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Both reflect a deep passion for a particular place—Johnson’s Middle Tennessee, Hiaasen’s South Florida—and a mixture of exasperation and grief at the destruction of the natural world to make room for megamansions and toxic waste dumps.—
Francine Prose,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Lewis portrays Curator as a frustrated employee pushing against institutional norms and stagnation, balancing exasperation and displaying a knack for physical comedy.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vexation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexation. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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