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

Following their stunning Super Bowl XVI victory in suburban Detroit over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Niners endured two seasons of sludge and vexation that concluded with a controversial playoff loss. —Mark Purdy, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

But a labor union has already voiced its vexation at the technology and e-commerce behemoth. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2025

The slowness of California’s vote-counting can be a perennial vexation for the rest of the country, particularly when the balance of power in the House is on the line. —Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2024

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

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