The pen hovers. The grid stares back, a silent challenge. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Staring down a particularly stubborn
crossword clue
, that one elusive phrase that feels custom-made to block our progress. Today, we’re diving into a sensation that many a solver knows all too well, both in life and in the pursuit of those satisfyingly filled squares: “Vexation, displeasure (7).”
What an evocative pair of words! Vexation and displeasure. They speak to a whole spectrum of human experience, from the mild annoyance of a misplaced remote to the deeper, more profound sense of dissatisfaction that can linger. As a
crossword clue
, it’s a brilliant pairing, immediately setting the scene for an emotion that isn’t quite anger, not quite sadness, but a potent blend of the two, often laced with a touch of exasperation.
Think about the last time you felt truly vexed. Perhaps it it was a technical glitch at the worst possible moment, or a persistent fly buzzing around your head during a quiet afternoon. That simmering irritation, that slight furrow of the brow, the quiet sigh of resignation – that’s the realm this
crossword clue
navigates. It’s the feeling of things not going quite as planned, a minor discord in the symphony of your day. Displeasure, meanwhile, carries a slightly broader scope, often implying a state of being rather than a fleeting incident. One might express displeasure with a decision, a situation, or even a particular flavor. It’s an absence of satisfaction, a sense of being generally unpleased.
When faced with such a rich, nuanced
crossword clue
, the solver’s mind immediately starts sifting through synonyms. Seven letters. That’s our guidepost, our fixed star in the galaxy of English vocabulary. We discard words that are too short, too long, or too strong. “Anger” might be too intense; “annoyance” might feel a little too mild for the full weight of “vexation, displeasure.” We’re looking for that sweet spot, that perfect lexical fit that captures the essence of both terms.
This is where the art of the
crossword clue
truly shines. It asks us to be detectives of language, to explore the subtle distinctions between seemingly similar words. It forces us to consider the context, the tone, and the exact emotional temperature implied. Is it a sudden burst of feeling, or a more sustained state? Does it lean more towards frustration, or towards a general lack of contentment? These are the questions we silently pose to ourselves as we doodle in the margins, trying to unlock the puzzle.
Sometimes, the very act of trying to solve a particularly thorny
crossword clue
can induce a touch of the emotion it describes! That moment when you’ve circled back to the same blank square for the fifth time, when every mental avenue seems to hit a dead end – that’s a mild form of vexation right there, isn’t it? A playful twist of fate from the puzzle setters, perhaps. But it’s precisely that challenge, that struggle against the linguistic current, that makes the eventual breakthrough so profoundly satisfying. The journey from initial perplexity to the triumphant filling of the final letter is the core joy of daily crosswords.
So, for this specific
crossword clue
, “Vexation, displeasure (7),” take a moment. Let the words resonate. Think about where you’ve encountered these feelings, either in your own life or in literature. Consider the cadence of potential words, how they sound, how they feel on the tongue. Is there a word that neatly encapsulates that feeling of being bothered, slightly put out, and generally not thrilled? A word that fits perfectly into seven letters?
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
isn’t just in its ability to test our vocabulary, but to invite us to deeper reflection. It’s a reminder of the incredible depth and flexibility of our language, how specific words can pinpoint complex human emotions with such precision. What a delightful, and sometimes vexing, journey this intellectual pursuit takes us on. Keep pondering, fellow solvers, the solution is always within reach!
Available Answers:
CHAGRIN.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Saturday, 20 September 2025