Vexed: meaning, definitions and examples

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vexed

[vɛkst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or showing anger, annoyance, or distress

Feeling vexed, she slammed the door behind her.

Synonyms

annoyed, frustrated, irritated.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vexed	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.
annoyed	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.
irritated	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.
frustrated	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.

Examples of usage

She was vexed by his constant interruptions during the meeting.
He looked vexed when he realized he had forgotten his wallet.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

difficult to deal with or understand

The math problem was quite vexed, requiring multiple steps to solve.

Synonyms

complicated, perplexing, tricky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vexed	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.
complicated	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.
tricky	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.
perplexing	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.

Examples of usage

She found the instructions to be vexed and confusing.
The situation became more and more vexed as conflicting opinions arose.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin verb 'vexare', meaning to shake or disturb, reflecting its emotional impact.
Originally used in English around the late 14th century, the term was associated with physical discomfort and gradually morphed to express emotional states.
In earlier times, it also meant to trouble someone in a legal sense, showing that annoyance can come from both personal and external sources.

Psychology

Research shows that feeling vexed can increase cortisol levels, making it a genuine stress response.
People might experience physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating when vexed, indicating that emotional states can manifest physically.
Addressing feelings of vexation can involve techniques such as deep breathing or taking a break, emphasizing the importance of managing our emotions.

Literature

The term appears frequently in classic literature, often used to describe characters facing moral dilemmas or internal conflicts.
Notably, the state of being vexed has been used by writers like Jane Austen to capture the nuances of social interactions and personal grievances.
In Shakespeare's plays, characters often express vexation to convey deeper frustration with societal norms or personal relationships.

Pop Culture

In popular television, characters may get vexed in comical situations, highlighting how annoyance can lead to humorous outcomes.
Songs and music often depict feelings of vexation, capturing the emotional soundtrack that resonates with anyone who’s frustrated.
The term is frequently referenced in memes and online dialogues, illustrating that even digital culture taps into the human experience of annoyance.

Everyday Usage

Common expressions involve being 'vexed by' someone else's actions, showing how interpersonal conflicts often lead to this feeling.
The word is often used in legal contexts, where parties may feel vexed by the opposing side's arguments or actions.
In everyday conversations, the term has a more formal tone, often used to express mild irritation rather than extreme anger.

Translations

Translations of the word "vexed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irritado

🇮🇳 परेशान

🇩🇪 verärgert

🇮🇩 kesal

🇺🇦 роздратований

🇵🇱 zirytowany

🇯🇵 いらいらした

🇫🇷 irrité

🇪🇸 irritado

🇹🇷 sinirli

🇰🇷 짜증난다

🇸🇦 منزعج

🇨🇿 rozčilený

🇸🇰 rozzúrený

🇨🇳 恼火的

🇸🇮 razdražen

🇮🇸 pirraður

🇰🇿 ашулы

🇬🇪 გაღიზიანებული

🇦🇿 əsəbi

🇲🇽 irritado

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,830, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13827 flooring
13828 antiseptic
13829 construe
13830 vexed
13831 bonnet
13832 legislator
13833 rake
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