Vexed: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a situation or a person that causes a lot of trouble, difficulty, or irritation, often with a sense of being deeply troubled by a complex issue.

• She was vexed by the endless delays in the project.
• The teacher was vexed by the student's constant interruptions.

Used when someone feels slightly angry or impatient, usually as a reaction to a specific action or occurrence.

• He was annoyed when his sister borrowed his car without asking.
• I get annoyed when people talk loudly on the phone in public.

Describes a feeling of being disturbed or aggravated, usually by something repeated or continuous.

• He was irritated by the loud construction noise outside his window.
• She felt irritated every time her roommate left dirty dishes in the sink.

Describes a feeling of being upset or angry due to being unable to change or achieve something, often related to prolonged efforts and unmet goals.

• She felt frustrated after trying to solve the math problem for hours.
• He was frustrated by the lack of progress in his career.

Used when discussing a situation that is causing irritation or worry, often because it is difficult to resolve. It can have a slightly negative connotation.

• She was vexed by the continuous noise coming from the construction site.
• The issue of climate change is a vexed question that requires urgent action.

Appropriate for describing something with many interconnected parts or elements, making it difficult to understand or deal with. It does not necessarily carry a negative connotation.

• The instructions for assembling the furniture were quite complicated.
• Her relationship with her family is complicated.

Ideal for describing something difficult to handle or navigate, often because it requires careful thinking or skill. It can sometimes imply a sense of cleverness or deceit, but not always negatively.

• Answering the tricky math problem required a different approach.
• Navigating the tricky social dynamics at work can be challenging.

Best used when something is confusing or puzzling, often because it is not easily understood or explained.

• The scientist found the new data perplexing and needed more time to analyze it.
• She had a perplexing feeling that she had forgotten something important.