vexation

noun

vex·​a·​tion vek-ˈsā-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being vexed : irritation

2

: a cause of trouble : affliction

3

: the act of harassing or vexing : troubling

Synonyms

• aggravation
• annoyance
• bedevilment
• botheration
• bothering
• bugging
• disturbance
• harassment
• harrying
• importunity
• pestering
• teasing

Examples of vexation in a Sentence

the problems and vexations of everyday life

the repeated vexations guaranteed that she wouldn't get any work done

Recent Examples on the Web

Maintained in this state of wild vexation by volleys of planetary radiation— what if a genie replaced your phone with the club of somebody’s tibia bone? —James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2024

Bernal has really stepped into his gray fox era, using his (extremely handsome) looks to lean into the vexation of his character’s age and past. —Nicole Froio, refinery29.com, 15 Oct. 2024

This vexation is not just the domain of bookworms and old China hands. —John Pomfret, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013

The perception of Biden as ineffective has been a source of much vexation in the President’s camp, and the subject of many an op-ed column and blog post. —James Lardner, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

vexation

noun

vex·​a·​tion vek-ˈsā-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being vexed : irritation

2

: the act of vexing : annoyance

3

: a cause of trouble or worry