vexes
Gets under skin
Vexes is the third-person singular of vex, meaning to annoy, irritate, or trouble.
The word suggests persistent frustration rather than a single flash of anger: It vexes me that he never returns my calls.
A vexing problem is one that resists easy solution.
The past participle vexed often describes a state of irritated confusion: She was vexed by his behavior.
Provokes mild anger
- aggravatesMakes more severe
- bothersCauses irritation or disturbance
- irksMildly annoys
- exasperatesIntensely irritates someone
nettles · pesters · riles · galls · chafes · rankles · needles · provokes
irritates
Provokes mild anger
- aggravatesMakes more severe
- bothersCauses irritation or disturbance
- irksMildly annoys
exasperates · nettles · pesters · riles · galls · chafes · rankles · needles · provokes · harasses
baffles
Perplexes or confuses deeply
- confoundsDeeply puzzles or defeats
- perplexesCauses mental confusion
- bewildersCauses thorough confusion
mystifies · confuses · stumps · befuddles · flummoxes · nonplusses · muddles · foxes · disconcerts · throws
goads
Prods to action
antagonizes · heckles · teases · prods · spurs · incites · agitates · inflames · stirs · rouses
- annoyancesannoyance, annoyances, irritations, irritation, nuisance
- mocksmocks, teases, ridicules, taunts, jeers