vex

UK: /ˈvɛks/ US: /vɛks/ ,(veks)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

vex /vɛks/   v. [~ + object]

1. to irritate;
   annoy;
   provoke:
   She was told to stop vexing the dog.
2. to torment;
   trouble;
   distress;
   worry:
   He was vexed by many problems.

See -vec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vex (veks),  v.t. 

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.

• Latin vexāre to shake, jolt, harass, annoy, frequentative of vehere to carry, convey
• Old French vexer
• late Middle English vexen 1375–1425

vex′er, n. 
vex′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. anger, irk, fret, nettle.
• 2. hector, harry, harass.

Antonyms

• 1. delight.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vex / vɛks/ verb (transitive)

1. to anger or annoy
2. to confuse; worry
3. to agitate

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre to jolt (in carrying), from vehere to convey

ˈvexer noun

ˈvexing adjective