- Today's Word
Vex
[VEKS]
Definition
- (verb) To annoy, irritate, or worry someone. It’s used to describe causing frustration or mild anger, often through persistent minor provocations or puzzling situations.
Example
The constant buzzing of the faulty fluorescent light vexed the office workers all day, making it hard for them to concentrate.
Fun Fact
The word “vex” has been part of the English language since the 15th century, derived from the Latin “vexare,” meaning “to shake, jolt, or harass.” Interestingly, it’s related to the word “vehicle,” which comes from the Latin “vehere” (to carry), as both share a common Indo-European root meaning “to shake.” In medieval times, to be “vexed” often had stronger connotations, sometimes even implying demonic possession or severe distress. Over the centuries, its meaning has softened to its current usage of general annoyance or irritation. The word’s concise form and sharp sound make it a favorite among writers looking for a punchy way to describe irritation without resorting to more common terms like “annoy” or “bother.”
(adjective) Likely to cause harm or work against something; hostile and damaging to a person or cause.
The startup’s chaotic management style proved inimical to creativity, driving away the very talent it needed most to survive.
Inimical derives from the Latin inimicalis, meaning “hostile” or “unfriendly,” rooted in inimicus — “enemy” — built from in- (“not”) and amicus (“friend”). It shares its ancestry with the word enemy, both tracing back to the same Latin root. It entered English in the 17th century, used to describe forces, conditions, or people that actively work against something rather than simply being indifferent to it.