annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.
their constant complaining annoys us
vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.
vexed by her son's failure to clean his room
irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.
careless waste irks the boss
bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.
don't bother me while I'm reading
Example Sentences
This problem has vexed researchers for years. We were vexed by the delay.
Recent Examples on the WebComplex supply chains involving a multitude of vendors and facilities, each with their own capabilities and limitations, can vex larger operations; smaller brands face other roadblocks. Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 14 June 2018 Usually, that was enough to vex the sometimes-ornery geese into scattering with little to no serious repercussions for Widman or the pair of helpers who abetted him in collecting eggs. Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 19 May 2022 While most economists tend to acknowledge the same causes of inflation, many disagree which elements are most driving the price increases that continue to vex American consumers.NBC News, 16 Feb. 2022 A down year for potential franchise passers would likely vex most teams that landed the No. 1 pick. Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2022 The loyalty problem, so evident with the ANAP, soon would vex the ALP, too. David Axe, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021 Among the many things that vex him is Matthiessen’s equanimity in the face of his failure to see a snow leopard, the sense that its absence was just as significant as its presence. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 5 July 2021 But even with better radar detection, the physics of hypersonic weapons will still vex the defenders. Michael Peck, Forbes, 17 June 2021 In this self-consciously boring approach, Russia would resemble any number of other countries whose political cultures and provocations vex American policymakers, but that are not perceived as nemeses. Michael Kimmage, The New Republic, 9 June 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French vexer, from Latin vexare to agitate, harry; probably akin to Latin vehere to convey — more at way