vex

To annoy, irritate.

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

The first thing that greets you on entering the church is a notice asking you not to vex the goat, since it renders valuable service in keeping the churchyard tidy.

To cause (mental) suffering to; to distress.

I will not again vex her ear with words of love, however true, however deep: ours is an evil destiny, and we may not control it!

I vex my heart with fancies dim: ⁠He still outstript me in the race; ⁠It was but unity of place That made me dream I rank’d with him.

To trouble aggressively, to harass.

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

To twist, to weave.

some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom

To be irritated; to fret.

Wake when thou would'st wake, fear nought, vex for nought

A trouble.

Initialism of Venus Express.