Vexatious: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word in formal or legal contexts to describe something that causes annoyance or trouble, often deliberately.

• The constant delays in the legal process were vexatious to all parties involved

This word is suitable for informal situations to describe something that causes slight irritation or discomfort.

• The loud music from the neighbors is really annoying when I’m trying to study

Use this word in both formal and informal contexts to describe something that causes annoyance or mild anger.

• The way he keeps interrupting me during meetings is incredibly irritating

Use this word when describing situations that cause feelings of helplessness or irritation due to inability to achieve something.

• It's frustrating to see so many errors in the report after we've worked so hard on it

Repeated and unnecessary, causing irritation or frustration.

• The employee's vexatious complaints were starting to affect team morale.
• She found his constant interruptions vexatious during important meetings.

Appropriate when something causes extreme worry, anxiety, or upset. Often used to describe emotionally challenging or tragic situations.

• The news of the accident was deeply distressing for the family.
• Seeing animals in poor conditions is always distressing.

Used to describe something mildly irritating or annoying, typically an ongoing or repetitive issue.

• The persistent buzzing of the fly became irksome after a while.
• Filling out these long forms can be quite irksome.

Describes situations or problems that are difficult to handle, cause inconvenience, or require extra effort and attention. Often used to talk about issues or people that cause ongoing difficulty.

• The troublesome leak in the roof needed immediate attention.
• His troublesome behavior in class has been a consistent issue.