vexed
Peeved and puzzled
Vexed describes a state of being annoyed, frustrated, or troubled.
A vexed expression shows irritation; a vexed question or vexed issue is one that has caused much difficulty and debate without resolution.
She was vexed by his constant interruptions.
The word carries a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone compared to synonyms like annoyed or frustrated, and often implies a milder, more dignified form of irritation than anger.
Mildly vexed
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
- exasperatedIntensely irritated, patience gone
- aggravatedIntensified or vexed
- botheredAnnoyed or disturbed
peeved · irked · nettled · displeased · disgruntled · chafed · galled · ruffled
Extremely angry
- enragedExtremely, intensely provoked
- infuriatedExtremely angered
- incensedExtremely angry
- irateExtremely angry
livid · seething · fuming · outraged · wrathful · indignant · resentful · provoked
Utterly unable to understand
- confoundedThoroughly puzzled or frustrated
- bewilderedThoroughly puzzled and confused
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- stumpedUnable to solve
flummoxed · nonplussed · mystified · befuddled · puzzling · confusing · uncertain · quandary
Formally argued opposing views
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
- controversialCausing public dispute
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- unresolvedLacking final determination
thorny · divisive · problematic · fraught · contested · arguable · unsettled · difficult
annoyed
Mildly vexed
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
- exasperatedIntensely irritated, patience gone
- aggravatedIntensified or vexed
bothered · peeved · irked · nettled · displeased · disgruntled · chafed · galled · ruffled · cross
furious
Extremely angry
- enragedExtremely, intensely provoked
- infuriatedExtremely angered
- incensedExtremely angry
irate · livid · seething · fuming · outraged · wrathful · indignant · resentful · provoked · antagonized
baffled
Utterly unable to understand
- confoundedThoroughly puzzled or frustrated
- bewilderedThoroughly puzzled and confused
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
stumped · flummoxed · nonplussed · mystified · befuddled · puzzling · confusing · uncertain · quandary · troubled
debated
Formally argued opposing views
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
- controversialCausing public dispute
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
unresolved · thorny · divisive · problematic · fraught · contested · arguable · unsettled · difficult · tricky
vexedsettled
No longer in question
resolved · straightforward · simple · easy · uncomplicated
vex, vexing, vexation, vexatious, vexes, vexations, vexatiousness