VEXING Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

vexing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈvek-siŋ

Definition of vexing

as in frustrating

causing annoyance the constantly changing schedule was somewhat vexing, but I coped

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

vexing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of vex

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

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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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 vexing

Adjective

The annual Group of 7 summit for decades has been an occasion for the heads of state of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the United States to meet as friends and try to hash out a collective approach to the vexing problems of the day. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026 Cardholders struggle with inflation, interest rates Cardholders are still struggling with a vexing combination of elevated inflation and interest rates. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Verb

Nestled in the oldest armory in Maryland is a set of Civil War-era photographs vexing a small team of military historians. — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026 But the reality is that there are no easy solutions to this problem vexing the White House. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vexing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vexing

Adjective

Make no mistake, Sweeney inherits a talented but frustrating team.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Frustrating process to get assistance However, the new program will not launch until December, and some residents say a lack of clarity surrounding the assistance has made navigating the process frustrating.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrating

Verb

That unexpected fandom has grown over the past two years, with unlikely converts taking to the internet’s alleyways to spread the good word—and, in the process, annoying the doubters.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Kids in all three countries loved learning dances from TikTok and annoying their siblings.

— Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoying

Verb

Researchers are still puzzling through what happened to the ancient Maya civilization, which mysteriously dwindled.

— Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
To read her book is to be reminded that childhood can be a puzzling passage for anyone, even in an ostensibly simpler time and place.

— Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of puzzling

Adjective

But for this initial step, Pierre tells mature patients to find a formula that’s gentle, non-irritating, and—if needed—able to remove makeup.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
The cold temperature will slow down the enzymes and ease the irritating effects.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritating

Verb

His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of bothering

Verb

Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffling

Adjective

For Daughtry, who was dispatched to work the crash by his editor that day, the assignment was one of the most disturbing of his career.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
This disturbing contradiction suggests that different physical laws apply to the observer and the observed.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

The Department of Justice’s prosecution of a Saudi national for allegedly bugging an OpenAI conference room is causing anxiety among OpenAI employees, many of whom are foreign nationals.

— Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
On Monday, a court granted the US government’s request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of bugging

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vexes

vexing

vexingly

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Style

“Vexing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vexing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of vexing

adjective

verb

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