as in frustrating
causing annoyance
the constantly changing schedule was somewhat vexing, but I coped
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in annoying
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
my coworkers' loud, endless conversations vexed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in puzzling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a mystery novel that is sure to vex even the canniest readers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vexing
Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
If policymakers are struggling to find a solution to a vexing public policy problem, my instinct is to try to identify a solution through independent industry self-regulation.
—Eric Reicin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Glitchy software and vexing screen interfaces led to a poor critical and sales reception for the ID.4, an electric SUV that VW touted as a revolution on par with the original Beetle.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2025
The film offers a unique perspective on Haiti’s ongoing security challenges by drawing from its vexing reality: political and police corruption, foreign election interference, colorism, homophobia and the cynicism of those who are vying for political power.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Adjective
On Monday, leaders from across the European Union and Britain met in Brussels to debate a vexing question: how to pay for it.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
If policymakers are struggling to find a solution to a vexing public policy problem, my instinct is to try to identify a solution through independent industry self-regulation.
—Eric Reicin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Glitchy software and vexing screen interfaces led to a poor critical and sales reception for the ID.4, an electric SUV that VW touted as a revolution on par with the original Beetle.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2025
The film offers a unique perspective on Haiti’s ongoing security challenges by drawing from its vexing reality: political and police corruption, foreign election interference, colorism, homophobia and the cynicism of those who are vying for political power.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vexing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexing
Adjective
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For Embiid, this is another frustrating chapter in an otherwise brilliant but injury-plagued career.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Very few severe crashes in Sacramento are followed by an arrest, and several survivors of crashes have previously said that soft or nonexistent charges were frustrating and demeaning.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Researchers are particularly focused on unraveling the puzzling interplay between gas content, magma pressure and lava flow dynamics.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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Almost two years into his ordeal, Gould learned of an initiative at the National Institutes of Health that focuses on solving the country’s most puzzling medical cases.—
Jason Liebowitz,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Frozen snack foods sold under Whole Foods Market’s 365 store brand got recalled nationwide for not being what the packaging says, an annoying mistake to some people but a possibly fatal one to other customers.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Achilles — and any accompanying tendonitis — is the most annoying and concerning issue for a skill player who turns 29 in June.—
Troy Renck,
The Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Cover irritating clothing seams with a smooth material such as silk to avoid abrasive irritation.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
5 Jan. 2025
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At Abercrombie & Fitch Packed with conditioning and hydrating castor oil, argan oil & coconut oil, this eyelash & brow growth serum will help promote the appearance of longer, fuller looking lashes and brows without the use of irritating or harmful ingredients.—
refinery29.com,
refinery29.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While no human-affecting viruses have been revived yet, the fact that ancient microbes can persist in a viable state raises a disturbing possibility: what else is hidden in the deep freeze, waiting to wake up?—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The possibility of losing Miami Beach's only art house cinema is disturbing to Tabsch, a filmmaker whose 2018 documentary The Last Resort, was about Miami Beach's Jewish community in the 1970s.—
Mandalit del Barco,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The International Monetary Fund cited a number of contributing factors that led to a global cost-of-living crisis in its annual report last year, including the pandemic and climate change, which disrupted food and supply chains, in addition to geopolitical conflict’s aggravating the problems.—
Doha Madani,
NBC News,
18 Dec. 2024
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But he was sidelined with a groin injury late in training camp and apparently returned too soon, aggravating the injury in Week 2 and then being held out until Week 9.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes,
13 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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