vex
Get under skin
Vex is to annoy or irritate, often through persistent small provocations rather than major offenses: The delays vexed everyone involved.
A vexing problem is one that frustrates attempts to solve it.
Vexed can describe someone who is irritated or a question that has been much debated: the vexed question of immigration reform.
Cause mild anger
- aggravateMake more severe
- irkTo mildly vex
- exasperateAnnoy to frustration
- nettleBristled plant; to annoy
pique · gall · rankle · chafe · grate · peeve · rile · provoke
Prevent success of
- stymieTo obstruct or baffle
- foilDefeat a plan
- obstructBlock or hinder passage
- impedeTo obstruct movement
hamper · hinder · balk · block · defeat · confound · baffle · perplex
Cause utter confusion
- confuseCause mental disorientation
- bewilderCause utter confusion
- mystifyConfuse beyond understanding
- confoundTo thoroughly puzzle
baffle · befuddle · bemuse · puzzle · enigma · conundrum · riddle · dilemma
Verbal clash over differences
- contestOrganized competitive event
- contendStruggle in opposition
- argueVerbally oppose another's view
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
wrangle · controvert · challenge · question · deliberate · litigate · contentious · controversial
irritate
Cause mild anger
- aggravateMake more severe
- irkTo mildly vex
- exasperateAnnoy to frustration
nettle · pique · gall · rankle · chafe · grate · peeve · rile · provoke · needle
thwart
Prevent success of
impede · hamper · hinder · balk · block · defeat · confound · baffle · perplex · flummox
perplex
Cause utter confusion
confound · baffle · befuddle · bemuse · puzzle · enigma · conundrum · riddle · dilemma · quandary
dispute
Verbal clash over differences
quarrel · wrangle · controvert · challenge · question · deliberate · litigate · contentious · controversial · thorny