VEX Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

vex

verb

ˈveks

Definition of vex next

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts my coworkers' loud, endless conversations vexed me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of vex CenterPoint, Entergy receive backlash for power failure Days without power in their homes and living through a heat advisory have left several Texans vexed at CenterPoint, Entergy, government officials and ERCOT. —

Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 11 July 2024 The book also expands and updates the Memoriam rules to allow immortal vampires a chance to flashback to history to solve problems that vex them tonight. —

Rob Wieland, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 The biggest hurdle might be achieving her larger-than-life hair that has vexed fans and media alike. —

Chiara Kim, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 This, in turn, caused people to desert the label in droves, furious that a streaming service had the power to dictate who got popular or vexed that new artists making emo rap and other genre-fusions were included. —

Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vex

Verb

You’re annoyed by it all, until the next horde of patrons do the same.

Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 10 Dec. 2024
Claire’s dopey jock boyfriend Simon (Charlie Hall) generally annoys her with his requests for sexts and movie nights.

Courtney Howard, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024