VEXED Synonyms: 220 Similar and Opposite Words

vexed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈvekst

Definition of vexed

as in annoyed

subjected to and reacting with irritation my dog was clearly vexed with me for having been gone all week, and hardly greeted me when I came home

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vexed

2 of 2

verb

variants also vext

past tense of vex

as in bothered

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 puzzled

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty a mystery novel that is sure to vex even the canniest readers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 vexed

Adjective

How to do that was a very vexed and complicated problem. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 Who would not raise a glass to the memory of so vexed a merrymaker, under whose spell the city is transformed into an exotic pastoral? — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

Verb

He has also grown increasingly vexed by the war between Israel and Iran, which has driven up gas prices, rattled financial markets and stoked concerns about inflation. — CBS News, 14 June 2026 From the moment the Dutch colonized the area in the 17th century, disposing of trash has vexed New York City leaders, recognized as heroes when the city somehow gets clean and villainized when the trash piles soar. — Tim Craig The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vexed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexed

Adjective

Hardin is more amused than annoyed, particularly given the origin of the FTD Burger.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Still, Pochettino’s tone indicated he was still annoyed to have lost.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Definition of annoyed

Verb

Maybe Bill Plaschke would be aware of that, and give due credit, if his hometown major newspaper bothered to have a dedicated correspondent covering one of the city’s NBA teams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
For all the breathless coverage devoted to celebrity engagements, weddings, and whirlwind divorces, some of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories involve couples who never bothered with the paperwork.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Definition of bothered

Verb

Pochettino seemed puzzled by the downcast tone of his post-match press conference.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Astronomers are puzzled that such a glaring inconsistency could have gone unnoticed in existing data, such as the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), which provides our earliest snapshot of the universe.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 25 June 2026

Definition of puzzled

Adjective

The byproduct was irritated, itchy skin with the discomfort of scratches, scabs and the stink that accompanied it.

— Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
There was a point in Patrick Paul’s ascension last season where his smirk, his hearty chuckles irritated, if not frustrated his opponents to the point of anger.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Definition of irritated

Verb

When Riley returned to the table, La La told me that his high profile in the city sometimes bugged her, because fans were always interrupting them, even sitting down at their table.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of bugged

Verb

Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.

— Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
His focus on the voting bill, instead of signing one that tackles a top issue for voters, has left some GOP strategists baffled.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026

Definition of baffled

Adjective

For a variety of reasons that weren’t immediately entirely clear, there was a comprehensive and fundamental breakdown in access to the stadium that left many exasperated or furious.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Such a reader would be even more exasperated by The End of Everything, which turns the dial up several notches.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

Definition of exasperated

Verb

The Washington Principles also recognize that many sales of artwork by Jews during the Nazi era occurred while they were being persecuted, or under duress.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026
Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have been persecuted.

— Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of persecuted

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vexatious

vexed

vexes

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Style

“Vexed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexed. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of vexed

adjective

verb

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