vexation

noun

vex·​a·​tion vek-ˈsā-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being vexed : irritation

2

: a cause of trouble : affliction

3

: the act of harassing or vexing : troubling

Synonyms

• aggravation
• annoyance
• bedevilment
• botheration
• bothering
• bugging
• disturbance
• harassment
• harrying
• importunity
• pestering
• teasing

Examples of vexation in a Sentence

the problems and vexations of everyday life

the repeated vexations guaranteed that she wouldn't get any work done

Recent Examples on the Web

The president has expressed vexation with his counterpart Vladimir Putin for stalling methods to end the foreign conflict. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025

In fact, the ancient Roman statesman and philosopher noted that writing about it helped him to find peace with the vexations of growing old. —Richard Gunderman, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025

Following their stunning Super Bowl XVI victory in suburban Detroit over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Niners endured two seasons of sludge and vexation that concluded with a controversial playoff loss. —Mark Purdy, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

But a labor union has already voiced its vexation at the technology and e-commerce behemoth. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for vexation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

vexation

noun

vex·​a·​tion vek-ˈsā-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being vexed : irritation

2

: the act of vexing : annoyance

3

: a cause of trouble or worry