vexing
Causing repeated frustration
Vexing describes something that causes annoyance or frustration, especially through persistent difficulty or complexity.
A vexing problem resists easy solution: The most vexing question is how to fund the program.
Vexing differs from merely annoying—it suggests something that troubles the mind and demands attention without yielding to it.
Causing mild frustration
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
- frustratingCausing irritation, blocking progress
maddening · infuriating · galling · nettlesome · irksome · tiresome · wearisome · trying
Causing confusion or bewilderment
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
confounding · enigmatic · cryptic · inscrutable · inexplicable · unfathomable · ambiguous · obscure
Obstructing intended outcomes
- frustratingCausing irritation, blocking progress
- foilingDefeating an attempt
- hinderingCreating obstacles to progress
- impedingBlocking forward motion
blocking · stymieing · hampering · derailing · sabotaging · counteracting · inhibiting · disrupting
irritating
Causing mild frustration
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
frustrating · maddening · infuriating · galling · nettlesome · irksome · tiresome · wearisome · trying · tedious
puzzling
Causing confusion or bewilderment
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- bafflingImpossible to understand
mystifying · confounding · enigmatic · cryptic · inscrutable · inexplicable · unfathomable · ambiguous · obscure · paradoxical
thwarting
Obstructing intended outcomes
- frustratingCausing irritation, blocking progress
- foilingDefeating an attempt
- hinderingCreating obstacles to progress
impeding · blocking · stymieing · hampering · derailing · sabotaging · counteracting · inhibiting · disrupting · balking
- irritatingannoying, aggravating, bothersome, exasperating, frustrating
- harassment tacticsharassment, hounding, pestering, badgering, nagging
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, tough
vexingpleasing
Causing enjoyment or satisfaction
delightful · soothing · agreeable · gratifying · calming
vexingstraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
simple · easy · uncomplicated · effortless · untroubling