Verb

(es)

To trouble aggressively, to harass.

* 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , Acts XII:

In that tyme Herode the kynge layed hondes on certayne of the congregacion, to vexe them.

To annoy, irritate.

Billy's professor was vexed by his continued failure to improve his grades.

To cause (mental) suffering to; to distress.

(rare) To twist, to weave.

* Dryden

some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom

(obsolete) To be irritated; to fret.

(Chapman)

To toss back and forth; to agitate; to disquiet.

* Alexander Pope

White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars.

Verb

(en verb)

To divert the attention of.

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 10, author=David Ornstein, work=BBC Sport

, title= Arsenal 1-0 Everton , passage=While Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had warned his players against letting the pre-match festivities distract them from the task at hand, they clearly struggled for fluency early on.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Travels and travails , passage=Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.}}

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