1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to perplex
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a mystery novel that is sure to vex even the canniest readers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vex
The case had vexed the FBI for years.
—
Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
But a persistent riddle has vexed scientists.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025
Experts said accountability for employers for hiring unauthorized workers has vexed officials for decades, including both Democratic and Republican administrations.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025
These questions — whether to build a bomb, brace for another war in the case of restarting its nuclear program, or to sit down with its nemesis to hammer out a deal — are undoubtedly vexing for the leadership.
—Big Think, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vex
Verb
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She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
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Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Verb
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The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.—
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Verb
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Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.—
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Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.—
Verb
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But unlike his Sophoclean namesake, Orestes is bewildered by this escalation and refuses.—
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In April, the president was among those bewildered by his fall.—
Verb
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These changes to the fabric’s texture can also irritate delicate skin.—
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To ensure the materials were safe for biological use, the friction layers was tested on a rabbit’s eye, where the device maintained its charge without irritating.—
Verb
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The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.—
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Canales-Pelaez said that local departments may be confusing administrative warrants with criminal ones, or overcomplying to avoid backlash from the state Legislature.—
Verb
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That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
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Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.—
Verb
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
Cite this Entry
“Vex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vex. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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