frustration
Americannoun
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act of frustrating; state of being frustrated.
the frustration of the president's efforts.
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an instance of being frustrated.
to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.
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something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.
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a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.
noun
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the condition of being frustrated
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something that frustrates
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psychol
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the prevention or hindering of a potentially satisfying activity
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the emotional reaction to such prevention that may involve aggression
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of frustration
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English frustracioun, from Latin frustrātiōn-, stem of frustrātiō “deception, disappointment”; equivalent to frustrate + -ion
Explanation
Frustration is a feeling of annoyance that occurs when something doesn't go as you expect. There are few things more likely to cause frustration for an impatient driver than rush hour traffic. When you can't get what you want, or you're stuck in some way, you'll experience frustration. A spelling bee competitor who almost wins will feel frustration. The thing that causes you to feel this way can also be called a frustration — like your moody sister, the frustration of your home life. Frustration comes from the Latin frustrationem, "a deception or a disappointment."
Vocabulary lists containing frustration
A Long Walk to Water
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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List 7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Frustration at COP30 led to the creation of the Santa Marta conference, which is taking place outside the UN process and is being co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.
From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026
Frustration is especially high in long-struggling neighborhoods on the South and West sides, which are seeing the biggest percentage increases on their tax bills.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025
"Frustration, disappointment," was Amorim's response when asked to sum up what he had just seen.
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025
"And it wasn't really going like that, I was touring clubs, not breaking through. I was struggling, with work, life, my identity. I couldn't find my place. Frustration fuelled the song."
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025
Frustration and bitter disappointment welled up inside him: He lowered the golden sphere, but then Hermione cried out.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
