Synonyms of vex

vex

verb

ˈveks 

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

• annoy
• bother
• irritate
• persecute
• bug
• aggravate
• exasperate
• irk
• infuriate
• rile
• spite
• get
• worry
• anger
• eat
• itch
• chafe
• burn (up)
• gripe
• grate
• plague
• pique
• tease
• ruffle
• provoke
• frost
• get to
• nark
• gall
• put out
• wear on
• insult
• peeve
• hack (off)
• nettle
• harass
• rub the wrong way
• rasp
• offend
• nag
• enrage
• upset
• rouse
• stick in one's craw
• get on one's nerves
• heckle
• unsettle
• get one's goat
• set one's teeth on edge
• pester
• enflame
• inflame
• antagonize
• devil
• agitate
• hassle
• perturb
• distress
• badger
• rankle
• roil
• discompose
• outrage
• disquiet
• harry
• discomfort
• madden
• unhinge
• fret
• affront
• bait
• undo
• bullyrag
• exercise
• ballyrag
• incense
• miff
• freak (out)
• hagride

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appease
• placate
• oblige
• pacify
• conciliate
• please
• satisfy
• gratify
• delight
• mollify
• propitiate
• assure
• soothe
• reassure
• cheer
• gladden
• comfort
• content
• quiet
• console
• solace

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

• perplex
• bewilder
• confuse
• baffle
• puzzle
• embarrass
• befuddle
• confound
• mystify
• flummox
• discombobulate
• bother
• bemuse
• disturb
• stun
• fuddle
• pose
• disorient
• muddle
• rattle
• fluster
• maze
• befog
• addle
• fox
• upset
• bamboozle
• muddy
• buffalo
• unsettle
• gravel
• get
• beat
• blow one's mind
• discomfit
• distress
• disconcert
• mortify
• agitate
• stick
• nonplus
• faze
• abash
• perturb
• go to one's head
• stump
• deceive
• discompose
• disquiet
• discountenance
• discomfort
• beguile
• delude
• unhinge
• dismay
• mislead
• weird out
• chagrin
• fool
• cozen
• misguide
• trick
• hoodwink
• humbug
• dupe
• snow
• gull
• string along
• take in
• hoax

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assure
• satisfy
• inform
• reassure
• enlighten

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vex are annoy, bother, and irk. While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," 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

Where would annoy be a reasonable alternative to vex?

The synonyms annoy and vex are sometimes interchangeable, but annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.

their constant complaining annoys us

When can bother be used instead of vex?

While the synonyms bother and vex are close in meaning, bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.

don't bother me while I'm reading

When is it sensible to use irk instead of vex?

In some situations, the words irk and vex are roughly equivalent. However, irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.

careless waste irks the boss

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vex

Tuesday night’s vote is the latest effort by a Colorado community to tackle the state’s vexing housing shortage, which has resulted in slim pickings for homebuyers and steadily escalating home prices over the last few years. —John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2025

Read more Fetterman’s approach to Trump stirs speculation Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-Pa.) open-minded approach to President-elect Trump is fueling questions about his motives and vexing some of his fellow Democrats. —Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025

The processing of ballots in Fulton County, one of Georgia’s main Democratic strongholds, continues to vex her. —Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024

Prospero’s mind is understandably vexed, but the losses he’s already endured have sharpened his vision. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025