Vex vs Provoking - What's the difference?

As a noun vex

is (space|esa).

(es)

To trouble aggressively, to harass.

* 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , Acts XII:

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

To annoy, irritate.

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

To cause (mental) suffering to; to distress.

(rare) To twist, to weave.

* Dryden

some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom

(obsolete) To be irritated; to fret.

(Chapman)

To toss back and forth; to agitate; to disquiet.

* Alexander Pope

White curl the waves, and the vexed ocean roars.

* (English Citations of "vex")

* (to annoy) agitate, irritate * (to cause mental suffering) afflict, torment