vex

/veks/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɛks] /veks/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɛks] /ˈveks How to pronounce vex (audio)/ (ame, mw)

vex — 動詞

  • vexpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • vexeshe / she / it
  • vexedpast simple
  • vexing-ing form

1. to make someone feel annoyed, worried, or upset, especially as a result of small

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

煩惱；困擾

使人感到惱怒或心煩

to make someone feel annoyed, worried, or upset, especially as a result of small but persistent problems

例句

The constant noise from the construction site vexed the residents every morning.

施工現場的持續噪音每天早上都困擾著居民。

passive: be vexed by [cause]

It vexes Inês when her colleagues arrive late to meetings without warning.

Inês 對於同事未事先告知就開會遲到感到心煩。

It vexes + [person] + when-clause

同義詞
  • annoy

    more common and milder; suitable for everyday situations

  • irritate

    similar strength, but more about physical or sensory discomfort

  • exasperate

    stronger; implies the person has lost patience

反義詞
  • soothe

    to calm someone down

  • please

    to make someone happy or satisfied

文法句型

vex + noun phrase

be vexed by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive (be vexed by/at something). Unlike annoy, vex suggests irritation that builds up from repeated or ongoing causes rather than a single brief event.

常見錯誤

❌The rude waiter vexed me.
✅The rude waiter annoyed me.
💡vex implies prolonged irritation caused by an ongoing situation, not a single social interaction.

2. to confuse or puzzle someone, making it difficult for them to understand or find

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

困惑；費解

使人難以理解或弄明白

to confuse or puzzle someone, making it difficult for them to understand or find an explanation

例句

The strange symbols on the ancient map vexed the archaeologists for months.

古老地圖上的奇怪符號讓考古學家百思不解好幾個月。

be vexed by [mystery/problem]

The crossword clue vexed Rafael for hours before he suddenly saw the answer.

那條填字遊戲線索讓 Rafael 困惑了好幾個小時，才突然想出答案。

同義詞
  • baffle

    stronger; implies complete inability to understand

  • perplex

    more formal; suggests thoughtful confusion

  • bewilder

    emotional as well as intellectual confusion

反義詞

文法句型

vex + noun phrase

be vexed by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is typically a problem, puzzle, or abstract question rather than a person. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes intellectual confusion or bewilderment, not emotional irritation.

常見錯誤

❌The difficult homework vexed him all evening.
✅The logic puzzle vexed him for hours.
💡sense 2 is about intellectual confusion (not understanding), not about the effort required by a task.