vex Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
annoy; rag; devil; bother; irritate; nettle; rile; get to; nark; get at; gravel; chafe.
- Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
- It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
verb disturb the peace of mind of; afflict with mental agitation or distress
worry.
- I cannot sleep--my daughter's health is worrying me
verb change the arrangement or position of
raise up; disturb; commove; stir up; shake up; agitate.
verb subject to prolonged examination, discussion, or deliberation
- vex the subject of the death penalty
verb be a mystery or bewildering to
mystify; perplex; bewilder; get; beat; puzzle; pose; amaze; baffle; flummox; stick; stupefy; gravel; nonplus; dumbfound.
- This beats me!
- Got me--I don't know the answer!
- a vexing problem
- This question really stuck me

F. vexer, L. vexare, vexatum, to vex, originally, to shake, toss, in carrying, v. intens. fr. vehere, vectum, to carry. See Vehicle.

imperfect & past participle Vexed ; present participle & verbal noun Vexing

To tos back and forth; to agitate; to disquiet.
White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars. Pope.
To make angry or annoyed by little provocations; to irritate; to plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict; to trouble; to tease. "I will not vex your souls." Shak.
Then thousand torments vex my heart. Prior.
To twist; to weave. R.
Some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom. Dryden.
Syn. -- See Tease.