Vexed   (pronounced vekst) adjective


Definition

1. much discussed or debated (such as a problem or issue); very difficult to solve. 2. irritated; annoyed; disturbed or distressed.

(Note: The examples focus only on the adjective form of VEXED. The verb form is not illustrated here.)

Main Example

  • The vexed issue of how to combat the mysterious SARS virus has, at least for now, replaced AIDS as the world's No. 1 health concern.

    Workplace Examples

  • The problem of low employee productivity has become a very vexed one, and we may have little choice but to hire an outside consultant for help.

  • I don't think I should be the one to pitch this idea to the sales guys. They are still pretty vexed with me because of my proposal last month to reduce their travel benefits.

    Other Examples

  • you apologizing to some vexed neighbors because your child has been littering their front yards

  • a vexed book such as British novelist Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" which came to be regarded by some Muslims as blasphemous and led to Ayatollah Khomeini condemning the author to death

  • the vexed question of how to bring about peace in the Middle East

  • many in the Arab world, while acknowledging that Saddam was a tyrannical dictator, being vexed with the U.S. for invading Iraq

  • some of the vexed issues facing our nation: the weak economy; North Korea; capturing Osama and preventing more terrorist attacks

    © 2003 V.J. Singal

    This Month's Other Words

    Illusory
    Patrimony
    Acerbic
    Evince
    Quiescent
    Inure
    Disingenuous

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