vex
1. cause annoyance in;
disturb, especially by minor irritations (Freq. 1)
- Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
- It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
• Syn:
annoy, rag, get to, bother, get at,
get at, rile, nark, nettle, gravel,
chafe, devil
• Derivationally related forms:
devilment (for: devil), deviltry (for: devil), devilry (for: devil), vexation, vexer, irritation (for: irritate), irritant (for: irritate), botheration (for: bother), bother (for: bother), annoyer (for: annoy), annoyance (for: annoy)
• Hypernyms:
displease
• Hyponyms:
get, get under one's skin, eat into, fret, rankle,
grate, peeve, ruffle, harass, hassle, harry,
chivy, chivvy, chevy, chevvy, beset, plague,
molest, provoke, antagonize, antagonise
• Verb Group:
chafe
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s somebody
- Something ----s somebody
- The bad news will vex him
- The performance is likely to vex Sue
2. disturb the peace of mind of;
afflict with mental agitation or distress
- I cannot sleep--my daughter's health is worrying me
• Syn:
worry
• Ant:
reassure (for: worry)
• Derivationally related forms:
vexation, worry (for: worry), worrying (for: worry)
• Hypernyms:
perturb, unhinge, disquiet, trouble, cark,
distract, disorder
• Hyponyms:
misgive, eat, eat on, nag
• Verb Group:
worry
• Cause:
worry
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s somebody
- Something ----s somebody
3. change the arrangement or position of
• Syn:
agitate, disturb, commove, shake up, stir up, raise up
• Hypernyms:
move, displace
• Hyponyms:
beat, scramble, toss, roil, rile, poke
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Somebody ----s somebody
- Something ----s somebody
- Something ----s something
4. be a mystery or bewildering to
- This beats me!
- Got me--I don't know the answer!
- a vexing problem
- This question really stuck me
• Syn:
perplex, stick, get, puzzle, mystify,
baffle, beat, pose, bewilder, flummox, stupefy,
nonplus, gravel, amaze, dumbfound
• See Also:
puzzle over (for: puzzle), puzzle out (for: puzzle)
• Derivationally related forms:
stupefaction (for: stupefy), bewilderment (for: bewilder), poser (for: pose), bafflement (for: baffle), mystification (for: mystify), mystifier (for: mystify), mystery (for: mystify), puzzle (for: puzzle), puzzlement (for: puzzle), puzzler (for: puzzle)
• Hypernyms:
confuse, throw, fox, befuddle, fuddle,
bedevil, confound, discombobulate
• Hyponyms:
stump, mix up, riddle, elude, escape
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s somebody
5. subject to prolonged examination, discussion, or deliberation
- vex the subject of the death penalty
• Hypernyms:
debate, deliberate
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
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