frustration

[ fruh-strey-shuhn ]

noun

1. act of frustrating; state of being frustrated: frustrated:

   the frustration of the president's efforts.

2. an instance of being frustrated: frustrated:

   to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.

3. something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.
4. a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

frustration

/ frʌˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. the condition of being frustrated
2. something that frustrates
3. psychol
   1. the prevention or hindering of a potentially satisfying activity
   2. the emotional reaction to such prevention that may involve aggression

Other Words From

• nonfrus·tration noun
• over·frus·tration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of frustration¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English frustracioun, from Latin frustrātiōn-, stem of frustrātiō “deception, disappointment”; equivalent to frustrate + -ion

Example Sentences

Those who were laid off cried, slammed doors, and shouted in frustration.

From Freakonomics

We put together this user guide to help you navigate Disrupt 2020 with maximum efficiency and minimal frustration.

From TechCrunch

Nathan Johnson, a representative from TruConnect and a panelist on the town hall, expressed his ongoing frustrations with the California Public Utilities Commission.

From Voice of San Diego

“And that was the start of my frustration,” said Cañestro, a professor of genetics, microbiology and statistics at the University of Barcelona and a group leader at its Institute for Research on Biodiversity.

From Quanta Magazine

The employees’ frustrations are not only aimed at the leaders atop their companies but also those overseeing individual departments.

From Digiday

That man was Xavier Cortada, a gay man who wrote of his frustration that he and his partner of eight years were unable to marry.

From The Daily Beast

After some animated debate at the conference, Lelaie declared, with some frustration, “If you push on the stick, you will fly.”

From The Daily Beast

My survival no longer offers the time, but to see others expressing frustration they can barely put into words is helpful.

From The Daily Beast

He also posted the results of the interactions that usually ended in frustration, but on rare successes, began with “DATE!”

From The Daily Beast

Cook walked more slowly than most, stopping to engage with passersby who expressed their own frustration and support.

From The Daily Beast

Smoke, whiskey, good music—they washed his mind clean of worry and frustration; he drifted off in a mist of unformed dreams.

From Project Gutenberg

"He died of frustration—or sorrow—over having killed the wrong man," Taylor said grimly.

From Project Gutenberg

They became silent under Emil's gaze of acute pathos—human life aware of its present frustration.

From Project Gutenberg

This frustration of Lincoln's ambition had a marked effect on his political views.

From Project Gutenberg

John Marshall Glenarm had explicitly provided against any such frustration of his plans.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annoyance
• dissatisfaction
• failure
• grievance
• irritation
• resentment