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

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts my coworkers' loud, endless conversations vexed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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

Example 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 The next few weeks are going to be just as vexing, with Mercury in Cancer entering its post-shadow zone from July 23 to August 6. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 26 July 2026 In the meantime, the deadly encounter has reignited a contentious debate about body cameras, one that has long vexed local officials and pitted some of the city’s progressive groups against each other. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 Particulars matter Haiti observers warn that considering the country’s vexing history with electoral fraud, violence, problematic votes and post-election crises, the particulars of its electoral machinery do matter. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 Regime Change, the recent runaway bestseller by Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, has vexed the president further. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vex

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vex

Verb

That was Gardner’s first game with the Colts after being acquired from the New York Jets, and while Indy pulled out the OT victory, Gardner was still annoyed by some of the social media chatter afterward.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Debt collectors also can't repeatedly call with the intent to annoy, abuse or harass you.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoy

Verb

Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
The Brazil midfielder has expressed a desire to join Arsenal, but Newcastle did not want to sell him this summer and have been perplexed by the lack of direct contact from the London club.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of perplex

Verb

Contreras rarely takes days off but asked for a day off Sunday with his leg bothering him.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Chapman won’t play another game for the Giants this year after undergoing core muscle surgery earlier this week, but the 33-year-old has finally addressed an ailment that’s bothered him for effectively the whole season.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

That’s a common sentiment from a touring superstar, but there’s a sense that Kahan really might be as happily bewildered as the rest of us about how songs this personal and cloudy came to captivate even sunny California.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
The threats are constantly evolving, layering upon themselves with bewildering speed.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of bewilder

Verb

With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Be sure to use a fragrance-free, gentle detergent to avoid irritating sensitive skin with any residue.

— Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritate

Verb

The unnamed species was apparently a victim of a creature known as a Manhunter — not to be confused with the cartoons’ friendly, green, Oreo-munching Martian Manhunter.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
While preparing to enter the state in February, Buc-ee’s sued the northern Ohio holding company for Mickey Mart gas stations, arguing its Mickey the Moose logo could be confused with Buc-ee.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of confuse

Verb

Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.

— Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
The indictment revealed that prosecutors had bugged the Aisenbergs' home for three months after Sabrina's disappearance.

— Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of bug

Verb

The scene never fails to baffle the senses as the path rises up about a thousand feet from the valley floor.

— Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
She is baffled by the way her friends Moe and Fumina rail against their parents, especially when Yuko is always holding back at home, forever walking on eggshells.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of baffle

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vex

vexation

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“Vex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vex. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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