vexing

Also found in: Thesaurus.

vex

(vĕks)

tr.v. vexed, vex·ing, vex·es

1. To irritate, bother, or frustrate: was vexed at the slow pace of reform. See Synonyms at annoy.

2. To cause perplexity in; baffle: "the mathematical, biological, and meteorological problems that vexed and intrigued him all the days of his life" (Robin Marantz Henig).

3. To cause difficulty or trouble to: "He was determined to lay to rest the problem that had most vexed his presidency" (James Carroll).

4. To cause pain or physical distress to; afflict: "O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed" (King James Bible).

[Middle English vexen, from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.]

vex′ed·ly (vĕk′sĭd-lē) adv.

vex′er n.

vex′ing·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Adj.	1.	vexing - extremely annoying or displeasing; "his cavelier curtness of manner was exasperating"; "I've had an exasperating day"; "her infuriating indifference"; "the ceaseless tumult of the jukebox was maddening" exasperating, infuriating, maddening displeasing - causing displeasure or lacking pleasing qualities
	2.	vexing - causing irritation or annoyance; "tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork"; "aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport"; "found it galling to have to ask permission"; "an irritating delay"; "nettlesome paperwork"; "a pesky mosquito"; "swarms of pestering gnats"; "a plaguey newfangled safety catch"; "a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him"; "a vexatious child"; "it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong" annoying, bothersome, galling, irritating, nettlesome, pesky, pestering, plaguy, vexatious, plaguey, teasing, pestiferous disagreeable - not to your liking; "a disagreeable situation"

Translations

Spanish / Español

Select a language:

vexing

[ˈveksɪŋ] ADJ → fastidioso, molesto, enojoso (LAm)
it's very vexing → da mucha rabia

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

He could not gather what was vexing her, but it was impossible to him to feel otherwise than that she was the prettiest thing in the world, and that if he could have his way, nothing should ever vex her any more.

View in context

Dreary, chill November was howling out of doors, and vexing the atmosphere with sudden showers of wintry rain, or sometimes with gusts of snow, that rattled like small pebbles against the windows.

View in context

LAHORE -- Power shortfall in the country has exceeded 4200MW limit with blistering heat coupled with load shedding vexing the nation.

Power shortfall soars past 4200MW in country

Summary: Muscat: Along with the rest of the globe, the Middle East faces vexing challenges ...

Big Data offers huge opportunities in Middle East

Robert Bohannon, Ph.D., has found a solution to the vexing challenge faced by police officers everywhere: How can I drink my coffee and eat my donuts at the same time and still keep one hand on the wheel?

Stay up, hear arteries beg for mercy

Levine says good versus evil continues to be the most vexing issue facing humanity.

Don Levine

"A Vexing Enigma: New insights confront chronic fatigue syndrome" (SN: 7/1/06, p.

B line

"Blade wear and replacement have been two of the biggest problems vexing users of mobile cranes and shears for decades," he says.

Genesis introduces enhanced XP shear

This vexing of Ferdinand includes his incarceration and task of log-bearing for her sake.

Shakespeare's "still-vexed" Tempest

"I've never lived in a time that's been so vexing. I just wanna scream.

The wit and wisdom of Sir Elton

A doctrinal committee appointed by him will produce materials relating to the vexing question of the proper disposition for the reception of the Sacrament (Rachel Zoll, Nov.

U.S. bishops' Conference

"The Swelling and Shrinking of Wood: A Practical Technology Primer," addresses the vexing problems caused by fluctuating moisture contents in wood and composite wood products.

"The Swelling and Shrinking of Wood: a Practical Technology Primer," addresses the vexing problems caused by fluctuating moisture contents in wood and composite wood products

More results ►

CITE

Site: Follow: Share:

Open / Close