vex
VEKSverbMeaning to annoy, puzzle or frustrate
Memory hook PECKS VEX. Tap, tap, tap: every morning at five, a crow pecks at Grandpa’s window. Those pecks vex him no end.
The squeaky door vexed Grandpa all winter.
In context The math problem vexed the whole class for a week; every answer they tried came out a little wrong, and no one could see why.
Similar annoy, irritate, bother, frustrate
Opposite please, soothe, delight
From Latin vexare, “to shake, disturb.”