vexingly

vex

 (vĕks)

tr.v. vexed, vex·ing, vex·es

1. To irritate, bother, or frustrate: was vexed at the slow pace of reform. See Synonyms at annoy.

2. To cause perplexity in; baffle: "the mathematical, biological, and meteorological problems that vexed and intrigued him all the days of his life" (Robin Marantz Henig).

3. To cause difficulty or trouble to: "He was determined to lay to rest the problem that had most vexed his presidency" (James Carroll).

4. To cause pain or physical distress to; afflict: "O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed" (King James Bible).

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[Middle English vexen, from Old French vexer, from Latin vexāre; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.]

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vex′ed·ly (vĕk′sĭd-lē) adv.

vex′er n.

vex′ing·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.