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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vex
As so often, what might have vexed or depressed many authors was, for Leonard, an extra helping of grist.
—
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
They’re also vexed by the vehicles’ human attendants, who work in large lots located in residential areas and loudly vacuum the taxis between fares.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Therefore, the centrifuges may vex Netanyahu’s war aims.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
John Birdsall: That question has been vexing me for more than a decade.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for vex
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
They’re also vexed by the vehicles’ human attendants, who work in large lots located in residential areas and loudly vacuum the taxis between fares.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Therefore, the centrifuges may vex Netanyahu’s war aims.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
John Birdsall: That question has been vexing me for more than a decade.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for vex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vex
Verb
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That acquisition annoyed shareholders and customers alike, with investors taking issue with the fact that it was structured to avoid a vote.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 July 2025
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However, in addition to the controversy over self-grading the results, OpenAI also annoyed the IMO community because its Saturday announcement appears to have violated the embargo agreement with the International Mathematical Olympiad.—
Benj Edwards,
ArsTechnica,
21 July 2025
Verb
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At the time, I was perplexed and questioned if this was necessary.—
Susan Horava,
Health,
24 June 2025
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Ultimately, the remaining Islanders dumped Jeremiah and Hannah, a controversial move that left viewers at home perplexed as to why this decision was made.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
23 June 2025
Verb
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But one aspect of his robberies bothers him to this day.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
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This means that some people might not bother using them.—
Ben Coxworth
July 26,
New Atlas,
26 July 2025
Verb
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As Epstein continues to dog his presidency, Trump says he’s bewildered by the attention.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
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Her camera is so incisive, always peeling back the veneers of polite conversation to reveal the messy, often contradictory emotions that drive us, that bewilder us.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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It was heard, and irritating, in all places at all times.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
25 July 2025
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For Wiles and other top aides, winning in the midterms is crucial — more crucial than publicly flaming a lawmaker who has a history of irritating Trump.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The snake is also easily confused with the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flowerpot snake, an invasive species in Barbados, according to Re:wild.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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By 1915, scientists unearthed 2 million bones of large animals from La Brea, and a pattern emerged that both excited and confused them: too many predators.—
Ian Rose,
JSTOR Daily,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Soliman spent about four years at Cincinnati Children's, first arriving in the United States in 2014 after being persecuted in his native Egypt for work in support of freelance journalists.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
25 July 2025
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The state government, closely aligned with Virginia’s de facto official Anglican church, persecuted Baptists during the 18th century.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vex. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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