VEX Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'vex' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vex are annoy , bother , and irk . While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety. // vexed by her son's failure to clean his room

Q: Where would 'annoy' be a reasonable alternative to 'vex'?

The synonyms annoy and vex are sometimes interchangeable, but annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness. // their constant complaining annoys us

Q: When can 'bother' be used instead of 'vex'?

While the synonyms bother and vex are close in meaning, bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind. // don't bother me while I'm reading

Q: When is it sensible to use 'irk' instead of 'vex'?

In some situations, the words irk and vex are roughly equivalent. However, irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit. // careless waste irks the boss

vex

verb

ˈveks

Definition of vex next

as in to annoy

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 to perplex

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb vex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vex are annoy, bother, and irk. While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.

vexed by her son's failure to clean his room

Where would annoy be a reasonable alternative to vex?

The synonyms annoy and vex are sometimes interchangeable, but annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.

their constant complaining annoys us

When can bother be used instead of vex?

While the synonyms bother and vex are close in meaning, bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.

don't bother me while I'm reading

When is it sensible to use irk instead of vex?

In some situations, the words irk and vex are roughly equivalent. However, irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.

careless waste irks the boss

Examples 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 vex Trump no longer casts himself as a brash entrepreneur vexed by meddlesome government regulators but as a messianic strongman keen on maximizing state power to reshape American society, culture, and law. —

Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024 No Asian economy has grappled with gender equality more arduously than Japan, a nation vexed by the world’s oldest workforce, among the world’s lowest birth rates, and a long-standing aversion to immigrant labor. —

Beth Greenfield, Fortune Asia, 7 Oct. 2024 There’s a puzzling tension inherent in these amplitudes — one that has vexed generations of quantum physicists going back to Feynman and Schwinger themselves. —

Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024 Yet, food companies have been dealing with many of the same price hikes that have vexed their customers. —

Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vex

Verb

The Dad got annoyed at first but seemed to give up fighting over it with all the kids respectfully persuading him to accept having a driver.

Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Cooney immediately began to annoy other castaways with his brash personality and attempts to stir the pot about fellow players, and was unsuccessful in winning in the team challenge and individual immunity.

Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024