Which word could best replace either of the underlined words in the paragraph? The easiest way to vex our mother is to whine when she directs us to do a chore. I learned that long ago and avoid anything that will annoy her, but my little brother has a lot to learn. He has lost computer time four times already and has been grounded from going to his best friend's house twice. Sadly, he is as hardheaded as Mom is.