vexing

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "vexing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is annoying, frustrating, or causing distress. Example: "The vexing issue of traffic congestion needs to be addressed." Alternative expressions include "irritating" and "exasperating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Equally vexing for researchers, proteins tend to be fragile and prone to denaturing while being studied.The lumbering pace of most protein analysis makes matters worse.

The Economist

"Vexing social problems" such as homelessness, drug use and mental illness are now handled by armed men and women, who are trained to enforce compliance, not offer therapy.

The Economist

Nonetheless, the problem of how to square the desire for independence with the reality that not all shareholders in the IMF are equal, remains vexing.

The Economist

Teachers may find the free-rider problem especially vexing.

The Economist

That compared with a figure of 60% for bumblebees that came from a colony where the scent of lavender was absent.Precisely why the bumblebees largely ignored social information about lavender and so steadfastly stuck with their personal knowledge about geraniums providing a bigger feast, even when it was no longer so, proved vexing.

The Economist

Nor does it cover private stashes such as Mr Gurlitt's.Whatever Germany does now, Mr Gurlitt's case remains vexing.

The Economist

But the two sides remain far apart on vexing issues like pension cuts and VAT increases, even though they have moved closer on privatisations and this year's fiscal targets.

The Economist

Gabriela Rivadeneira, the president of Congress, praised the reform for outlawing practices such as "lynching by media" (roughly, character assassination), and said that the new law would curb the press's supposed habit of "vetoing and vexing citizens".

The Economist

And Muslims endured countless slights that, while not worth reporting to the police, were vexing.

The Economist

Instead, a fine display of disunity between parts of the party is vexing the planning for the Democratic convention this summer.Holding the first political convention since the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 was never going to be easy, even though the federal government is chipping in $25m to offset increased security costs for the Democratic event in July.

The Economist

Clean-ups in the tax and customs authorities have impressed some businessmen, while vexing others who say procedures are now gummed up.The government has also started making some important reforms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vexing" to describe problems or situations that cause not only annoyance but also some degree of difficulty or complexity. It's stronger than simply "annoying".

Common error

While "vexing" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more straightforward synonyms like "annoying" or "irritating" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vexing" is as a present participle adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes annoyance, worry, or difficulty. As supported by Ludwig, it often precedes nouns like "problem", "issue", or "question".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vexing" functions as an adjective describing something that causes annoyance, frustration, or difficulty. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its correct grammatical standing and common usage across various contexts. The primary context for "vexing" is News & Media, where it's used to describe troublesome situations and problems. While synonyms like "annoying" and "frustrating" exist, "vexing" carries a slightly more formal tone and implies a degree of complexity beyond mere annoyance. When writing, it's best practice to use "vexing" for issues that are both annoying and challenging, and to avoid overuse in overly casual settings. The frequency of "vexing" is high, demonstrating it is a very common and established term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irritating

Focuses more on causing mild annoyance.

frustrating

Emphasizes the feeling of being prevented from achieving a goal.

annoying

A more general term for causing displeasure.

exasperating

Suggests intense frustration and irritation.

troublesome

Highlights the difficulties caused by something.

bothersome

Similar to annoying but slightly milder.

aggravating

Highlights the worsening of a situation due to the annoyance.

perplexing

Specifically indicates causing confusion or difficulty in understanding.

infuriating

Implies causing extreme anger.

challenging

Focuses on the difficulty presented by something without necessarily implying negativity.

FAQs

How to use "vexing" in a sentence?

You can use "vexing" to describe something that is causing annoyance, frustration, or worry. For example, "The traffic congestion in the city is a "vexing" problem."

What can I say instead of "vexing"?

You can use alternatives like "irritating", "annoying", or "frustrating" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "vexing problem" or "vexatious problem"?

"Vexing problem" is more common when referring to something causing annoyance or difficulty. "Vexatious problem" usually implies something intended to cause trouble or annoyance.

What is the difference between "vexing" and "challenging"?

"Vexing" implies annoyance and frustration, while "challenging" focuses on the difficulty of a task or situation without necessarily implying negative emotions.