vexation
gb/vɪɡzˈæʃən/ us/vɪɡzˈæʃən/
C1
English
~ 7700
bosszúság, nyűg, vegzálás, zaklatás
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
bosszúság
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s vexation at/over [something]
To her great vexation, the letter arrived a week late and after the deadline had passed.
Nagy bosszúságára a levél egy héttel később, a határidő lejárta után érkezett meg.
He tried to hide his vexation, but the tightness in his jaw gave him away.
Próbálta leplezni a bosszúságát, de az állkapcsának megfeszülése elárulta.
After hours of delays and confusing instructions, their vexation turned into open anger.
Much to the committee's vexation, the same issues kept resurfacing at every meeting.
His calm tone masked the deep vexation he felt about the unfair decision.
Learner examples
To my vexation, the train was late again.
Nagy bosszúságomra a vonat már megint késett.
She spoke with clear vexation in her voice.
Hangjában egyértelmű bosszúság csengett.
His vexation grew as the noise continued all night.
You could see her vexation when the plan failed.
He laughed to hide his vexation about the mistake.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "vexation" in very casual conversation where native speakers would usually say "annoyance" or "irritation" instead, making their speech sound too formal. They may also confuse "vexation" (the feeling) with "vexing" (the adjective meaning causing annoyance). In addition, learners often use the preposition "about" by default; in more formal writing, "at" or "over" is more typical with vexation (e.g. "her vexation at the delay").
Meaning
state of annoyance or worry
Collocations
in vexation
|to my vexation
|great vexation
|cause vexation
|show vexation
|out of vexation
Synonyms
annoyance (More common and neutral; slightly weaker and less formal than vexation.)
|
irritation (Often suggests a sharper, more immediate feeling; can also refer to physical discomfort.)
|
frustration (Focuses more on being blocked from a goal, while vexation can be broader annoyance or worry.)
Antonyms
contentment (Suggests a calm, satisfied state without annoyance or worry.)
|
calm (Emphasizes a peaceful emotional state, the opposite of troubled vexation.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of being angry, upset, or worried because something is difficult or goes wrong again and again.
The state of feeling annoyed, irritated, or worried, especially because of difficulties, delays, or minor problems.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is a vexation to [someone]
The endless paperwork has become a real vexation to small business owners.
A véget nem érő papírmunka igazi nyűggé vált a kisvállalkozók számára.
Rising energy costs are a constant vexation for many households.
Az emelkedő energiaköltségek sok háztartás számára állandó nyűgöt jelentenek.
For city residents, traffic congestion is one of the great vexations of daily life.
The leaks in the old roof were a vexation that never seemed to end.
These minor vexations may seem small, but together they wear people down.
Learner examples
The loud music next door is a vexation to me.
A szomszéd hangos zenéje nagy nyűg számomra.
For many people, long bus lines are a daily vexation.
Sok ember számára a hosszú buszsorok mindennapos nyűgöt jelentenek.
The slow internet is a great vexation in this office.
His bad jokes are a real vexation to his friends.
The broken printer is another vexation for the team.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the "feeling" sense and the "thing" sense. They may say "I am a vexation" when they mean "I feel vexation" or "This is a vexation." Also, they sometimes use "vexation" where a more natural word in everyday speech would be "problem," "nuisance," or "annoyance," which can make their language sound overly formal.
Meaning
thing that causes annoyance
Collocations
a constant vexation
|a source of vexation
|minor vexations
|daily vexations
|traffic is a vexation
|bureaucratic vexations
Synonyms
nuisance (Common and informal; often for small, practical problems or mildly annoying people.)
|
irritation (Can refer both to the feeling and to the thing that causes it; slightly less formal.)
|
annoyance (Very similar in meaning; more frequent and slightly less formal than vexation.)
Antonyms
pleasure (Something that gives enjoyment instead of causing annoyance or worry.)
|
comfort (Something that makes life easier or more pleasant rather than more difficult.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
A person, thing, or situation that makes you feel annoyed, angry, or worried.
Something or someone that causes annoyance, irritation, or worry, especially repeatedly or over a period of time.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
vexation of [someone] by [actions]
The court warned that further claims of this kind would amount to vexation and abuse of process.
A bíróság figyelmeztetett, hogy az ilyen további keresetek már vegzálásnak és az eljárással való visszaélésnek minősülnének.
The policy is intended to protect employees from needless vexation by repeated, unfounded complaints.
A szabályzat célja, hogy megvédje az alkalmazottakat az ismételt, megalapozatlan panaszokból eredő felesleges vegzálástól.
They argued that the investigation was no longer a search for truth but a form of vexation.
Learner examples
The judge said the extra cases were only vexation of the defendant.
A bíró szerint a további perek csak az alperes vegzálását szolgálták.
New rules try to stop legal vexation by angry neighbors.
Az új szabályok az indulatos szomszédok által folytatott jogi vegzálást próbálják megakadályozni.
The company complained of vexation by many small, false claims.
Meaning
act of deliberate harassment
Collocations
vexation and harassment
|vexation of the defendant
|vexation by repeated lawsuits
|unnecessary vexation
|subjected to vexation
Synonyms
harassment (Broader and more common; covers many forms of repeated unwanted behavior, not only formal actions.)
|
persecution (Stronger and more emotional; suggests severe and unfair treatment over time.)
Antonyms
protection (Suggests actions taken to keep someone safe rather than to trouble them.)
|
assistance (Indicates helpful actions, the opposite of troubling or harassing someone.)
Themes
law
|society
|relationships
Definition
The action of hurting or bothering someone on purpose again and again, for example by bringing many legal cases against them.
The act of deliberately troubling, harassing, or bothering someone, especially through repeated complaints, investigations, or legal actions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vexation
IPA
GB/vɪɡzˈæʃən/
US/vɪɡzˈæʃən/
Syllables & stress
vex - a - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: vexation
- Plural: vexation, vexations
Word family
Forms
vexations
noun
Core family
vex
verb
vexing
adjective
Related words
vexed
adjective
Advanced or less common
vexatious
adjective
vexatiously
adverb
Expressions
in vexation
1/ˈɪn vɪɡzˈæʃən/
fixed phrase
literary
in a state of vexation
Used to show that someone is feeling vexation (annoyed, upset, or worried) at that moment.
Examples
- He threw down the pen in vexation when the ink ran out again.
- She turned away in vexation, unwilling to continue the argument.
- The manager paced the room in vexation as the delays mounted.
to someone's vexation
1/tə sˈʌmwˌʌnz vɪɡzˈæʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
causing someone's annoyance or worry
Used to say that something made a particular person feel vexation (annoyed, upset, or worried).
Examples
- To her vexation, the train doors closed just as she reached the platform.
- Much to my vexation, the document I needed was nowhere to be found.
- To their great vexation, the problem returned only days after it had been fixed.