vexing

/ˈvek-siŋ/

adjective

  1. causing or likely to cause vexation : vexatious

a vexing problem

verb

  1. to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to

  2. to bring physical distress to

  3. to irritate or annoy by petty provocations : harass

the restaurant is vexed by slow service

a headache vexed him all morning

annoy vex irk bother mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness. vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.