Word
vexed
US/ˈvɛkst/
UK/vˈɛkst/
Definition
v. feeling annoyed or worried about something that is difficult to solve. You use this when a problem is frustrating you because it is not easy to fix.
v. feeling annoyed, worried, or perplexed by a difficult or frustrating situation. Often used to describe a state of being troubled by a persistent problem.
Examples
“I am vexed by this difficult math problem.”
“The manager was vexed by the constant technical errors that kept the website from loading properly for customers.”
“The diplomat was deeply vexed by the lack of progress in the negotiations, as both sides remained unwilling to compromise on the most contentious points of the treaty.”
Examples
simple
“I am vexed by this difficult math problem.”
contextual
“The manager was vexed by the constant technical errors that kept the website from loading properly for customers.”
complex
“The diplomat was deeply vexed by the lack of progress in the negotiations, as both sides remained unwilling to compromise on the most contentious points of the treaty.”
Real-World Examples
“She is particularly vexed by the misplaced use of resources spent on special pouches to prevent the devices from being accessed during the school day.” “A few seem to describe vexed mother-daughter dynamics.” Etymology
From Middle English vexed, vexede, vexit, vixid, equivalent to vex + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/vexed