"Vexing" vs. "irksome": two ways to be annoyed

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 31/05/2025, 16:29

English.me team member

Vexing and irksome. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "vexing" and "irksome" describe something that causes annoyance or discomfort. They are both adjectives used to express irritation or frustration.

What is different?

"Vexing" often implies a deeper or more persistent feeling of annoyance, sometimes involving puzzlement or distress. "Irksome" usually refers to something irritating in a more tedious or bothersome way, often due to repetition or monotony.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Vexing

The puzzle was vexing, and she spent hours trying to solve it.
It is vexing when people repeatedly ignore your advice.
The delay was particularly vexing because it was unexpected.

Irksome

The irksome noise from the construction made it hard to concentrate.
Filling out long forms can be an irksome task.
His habit of interrupting was especially irksome during meetings.