French word

vexer

Pronunciation

IPA/vɛkse/

Meaning

  • verbhurt

Example

Je ne veux pas te vexer.

I don't want to hurt you.

Illustration for vexer (hurt)

More examples

Je n'ai pas voulu te vexer avec ce commentaire.

I didn't mean to offend you with that comment.

Core concept

A remark lightly presses a person's sore spot, leaving an inward sting or awkwardness.

Common phrases

  • vexer quelqu'un

    offend someone

  • se vexer

    take offense

Similar words

blesser: To cause emotional pain or hurt someone's feelings.
fâcher: To make someone angry or put them in a bad mood.
froisser: To mildly hurt someone's pride and make them feel offended.
offenser: To deeply offend someone through insulting words or actions.

Definition in French

Provoquer chez quelqu'un un sentiment de peine, de gêne ou d'humiliation, souvent sans intention de blesser.

Word origin

French vexer comes from Latin vexare, "to trouble or agitate," through Old French, with a later shift toward emotional distress.

Usage tips

  • Vexer takes a direct object, so Je ne veux pas te vexer uses te rather than a preposition before the affected person.

Other meanings

  • annoyverb
  • offendverb

Opposites

Related words

  • vexéoffendedadjective
  • vexantoffensiveadjective
  • vexationannoyancenoun

Word lists with this word