verb (used with object)
1.
to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him.
2.
to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many.
3.
to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing.
4.
to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about.
5.
to afflict with physical pain.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English vexen < Old French vexer < Latin vexāre to shake, jolt, harass, annoy, frequentative of vehere to carry, convey
1375–1425; late Middle English vexen < Old French vexer < Latin vexāre to shake, jolt, harass, annoy, frequentative of vehere to carry, convey
Related forms
vex·er, noun
vex·ing·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. anger, irk, fret, nettle. 2. hector, harry, harass.
1. anger, irk, fret, nettle. 2. hector, harry, harass.
Antonyms
1. delight.
1. delight.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To vex
00:10
Vex
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
vex (vɛks) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to anger or annoy |
| 2. | to confuse; worry |
| 3. | archaic to agitate |
| [C15: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre to jolt (in carrying), from vehere to convey] | |
| 'vexer | |
| —n | |
| 'vexing | |
| —adj | |
| 'vexingly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
vex
early 15c., from M.Fr. vexer, from L. vexare "to attack, harass, trouble," from vexus, collateral form of vectus, pp. of vehere "to draw, carry" (see vehicle).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Similar problems vex local housing agencies across the country.
It is fundamental to the immediate problems which vex the nation today.
To hare and rate them thus at every turn, is not to teach them, but to vex and torment them to no purpose.
Further scrutiny of financial companies might vex the government as much as the firms themselves.
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
