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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
The House will return from a holiday break to face sagas that have vexed the chamber for months.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 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
And notably, while operating as a center, the position that has vexed Nnaji in recent years.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026
The House will return from a holiday break to face sagas that have vexed the chamber for months.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vexed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed
Adjective
-
The result is many annoyed fan owners tugging vigorously on the chain, only to have their fan suddenly turn into an in-home airplane propeller.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Virginia was annoyed to see her association made public and suspected someone at Rinehart had talked to Kilgallen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Something that bothered Rick was confidence or anything that whiffed of overt masculinity.—
Margy Rochlin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But Watson hasn’t been bothered by the challenge of taking on older players.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
He was puzzled by friends who bought band T-shirts and obsessed over concerts.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Store employees were puzzled about any alleged involvement with El Primo.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Guojun was irritated, according to two people present, and didn’t understand why the state was taking an interest in his family.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Neti pots are also commonly used when nasal passages feel congested, irritated or inflamed due to seasonal allergies, after a cold or due to exposure to smoke or pollution.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, Ladinig says Pierre Haobsh bugged Henry Han's computer with a spyware app called a keylogger.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Feeling good Weathers has been bugged by several injuries over the last few years.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This disconnect, despite all appearances of a serious campaign, has left many Democrats baffled.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Chau is perfectly exasperated and defiant.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Eventually, my exasperated mom found us and marched us to the big arena, on the other side of Interstate 70, to witness the big show.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Secret Agent’s primary setting is a house full of misfits and refugees in the northeastern city of Recife, a safe harbor from those persecuted by the country’s military regime, ruled over by the inimitable Dona Sebastiana (Tânia Maria, whose role was written specifically for her).—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
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Trump has promised to help rescue the country’s persecuted protesters as thousands died.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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