vexing

Vexing is the present participle of the verb vex and functions as an adjective in modern English. It describes something that causes annoyance, frustration, distress, or perplexity. A vexing issue is typically one that is difficult to resolve and may provoke ongoing concern rather than a brief irritation. The term often conveys a sense of persistence or complexity beyond a simple nuisance.

In usage, vexing tends to be more formal or literary than everyday synonyms such as annoying or irritating. It can imply emotional or intellectual strain, as in discussions of a vexing dilemma, a vexing question, or a vexing set of circumstances. The word is commonly found in essays, opinion pieces, and narrative prose where a nuanced sense of trouble or trouble-making complexity is intended.

Etymology traces vexing to the Latin vexare, meaning to harass or torment, through Old French vexer and into English. The root expresses a sense of ongoing trouble, not merely a momentary irritant. Related terms include vexation (the noun form for the state of being vexed) and vexatious (describing something causing or intended to cause annoyance or legal proceedings that are burdensome). The verb vex and its derivatives share a connective sense of disturbance or nuisance that can range from mild irritation to significant perplexity.

See also: vexation, vexatious, vex. Examples include: a vexing problem that resists simple solutions, or a vexing policy change that leaves residents uncertain about future outcomes.