The word “vex” has its origins in Middle English, and it can be traced back to the Old French word “vexer,” which means “to harass” or “to annoy.”
The Old French word, in turn, is believed to have come from the Latin word “vexare,” which means “to agitate” or “to trouble.”
So, in essence, the word “vex” has a long history of meaning to irritate, bother, or harass someone, and it has evolved through various stages of the English language to arrive at its current usage.
Vex Meaning
The word “vex” is a verb that means to irritate, annoy, or bother someone. It implies a feeling of frustration or annoyance caused by something that is not going the way one would like.
When someone is vexed, they are experiencing a level of agitation or distress due to a particular situation or circumstance.
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How to use Vex Word in English Sentence? Examples
These sentences illustrate different ways “vex” can be used to describe situations or feelings of irritation, annoyance, or frustration.
| Example | Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | The constant noise from the construction site vexed the residents of the neighborhood. |
| 2 | She was vexed by the repeated delays in the project timeline. |
| 3 | His inability to solve the puzzle began to vex him. |
| 4 | The persistent rumors about her personal life seemed to vex her greatly. |
| 5 | It vexes me when people don’t follow basic traffic rules. |
| 6 | The unresolved issue continued to vex the team, causing frustration among its members. |
| 7 | His careless remarks vexed his colleagues, leading to strained relationships in the office. |
| 8 | The malfunctioning software has been vexing users for weeks. |
| 9 | The professor’s unclear instructions vexed the students, making it difficult for them to complete the assignment. |
| 10 | Despite their best efforts, they were still vexed by the enigma that eluded a solution. |
Synonyms of Vex
The word has a variety of synonyms, all of which convey a sense of frustration or annoyance. Here are some of the most common synonyms:
- Annoy
- Irritate
- Bother
- Aggravate
- Pester
- Nettle
- Disturb
- Irk
- Provoke
- Frustrate
- Displease
- Rile
- Inflame
- Antagonize
- Plague
Antonyms
You might be surprised to learn that there are quite a few. Here are just a few of the most popular antonyms:
- Please
- Soothe
- Calm
- Comfort
- Delight
- Content
- Pacify
- Appease
- Assuage
- Gratify
Is the term associated with legal matters?
Yes, the term “vex” can also be associated with legal matters. In a legal context, “vexatious” is an adjective used to describe actions or legal proceedings that are brought forward primarily to harass or annoy the opposing party, rather than to pursue a legitimate legal claim.
For example, a “vexatious lawsuit” is a lawsuit that is filed with the intent to cause trouble or distress to the defendant, rather than to seek a valid legal remedy. Courts have mechanisms in place to identify and potentially dismiss vexatious litigation in order to prevent the abuse of the legal system for harassment or frivolous purposes.
So, in the legal context, “vexatious” refers to actions or claims that are brought with the primary intent of causing annoyance or distress to the other party, rather than for genuine legal purposes.
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