What does vexation mean?
Vexation means annoyance, irritation, or the condition of being troubled by something difficult or irritating. It can describe a person's state of mind, as in “the delay caused considerable vexation,” or identify the source of that feeling, as in “constant interruptions were a vexation.” The word is formal but broadly understandable and often suggests a persistent or repeated source of difficulty rather than a brief, trivial irritation. It is especially common in professional, legal, editorial, and academic writing, though it is also natural in everyday speech when a somewhat elevated word is appropriate. Vexation is related to the verb vex and the adjective vexatious. Its distinguishing feature is that it presents irritation not merely as an emotion but also as a troublesome condition or recurring source of trouble. The word ultimately comes from Latin, reflecting a long-established vocabulary for irritating and troubling.
nounThe state of being annoyed or irritated, or something that causes such annoyance. Vexation can refer to a mild, passing irritation or to a persistent source of difficulty.
- The state of being annoyed, irritated, or frustrated.
- Something or someone that causes annoyance, difficulty, or harassment.
"The constant delay caused him considerable vexation."
"The constant delay caused him considerable vexation."
"Repeated unanswered messages were a source of vexation for the committee chair."
The regular plural refers to separate instances or sources of vexation.
"The visitors complained about the many small vexations of the trip."
Vexation comes from the same Latin root as vex: both point to the ancient idea of being troubled, irritated, or tormented.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vexation come from?
Vexation derives from Latin vexationem, the accusative form of vexatio, a noun of action formed from vexare, meaning to irritate, torment, or harass. The English word entered use in the 16th century. Related forms such as vex, vexed, and vexatious preserve the same Latin family of meanings.
How vexation is actually used
The word is formal to neutral and is common in professional, legal, and editorial contexts as well as ordinary speech. It often conveys more deliberate or persistent irritation than the simpler word annoyance. In legal usage, a suit of vexation is a lawsuit brought primarily to harass another party.
Easily confused with vexation
Vex is primarily a verb meaning to annoy or irritate someone, whereas vexation is a noun naming the resulting annoyance or its source.
Vexatious is an adjective describing a person, situation, or action that is annoying, while vexation is the noun for the annoyance itself.