Vex | Definition of vex by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of VEX

transitive verb

1

a : to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to <the restaurant is vexed by slow service>

b : to bring physical distress to <a headache vexed him all morning>

c : to irritate or annoy by petty provocations : harass <vexed by the children>

d : puzzle, baffle <a problem to vex the keenest wit>

2

: to shake or toss about

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See vex defined for kids

Origin of VEX

Middle English, from Anglo-French vexer, from Latin vexare to agitate, harry; probably akin to Latin vehere to convey — more at way

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VEX

Synonyms: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, itch, nark [British], nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, irritate

Synonym Discussion of VEX

annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness <their constant complaining annoys us>. 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>. irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit <careless waste irks the boss>. bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind <don't bother me while I'm reading>.

Rhymes with VEX

dex, ex, flex, hex, lex, rex, sex, specs, x

Definition of VEX for Kids

1

: to bring trouble, distress, or worry to <“It is an excellent plan to have some place where we can go to be quiet, when things vex or grieve us.” — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women>

2

: to annoy by small irritations <Flies vexed the cows.>

Learn More About VEX

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "vex"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "vex"

Nglish: Translation of "vex" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "vex" for Arabic speakers

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