frustrate
- to make (plans, efforts, etc.) worthless or of no avail; defeat; nullify: The student's indifference frustrated the teacher's efforts to help him.
- to disappoint or thwart (a person): a talented woman whom life had frustrated.
- to become frustrated: His trouble is that he frustrates much too easily.
- Obsolete. frustrated.
Origin of frustrate
Synonyms for frustrate
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for frustrate
hinder, depress, discourage, dishearten, confront, baffle, obstruct, prevent, cramp, lick, stump, neutralize, forbid, obviate, dash, cancel, negate, counteract, circumvent, checkExamples from the Web for frustrate
Contemporary Examples of frustrate
The delays would cause chaos and snarl traffic at checkpoints, frustrate orderly schedules, and make tempers short.
Iraqi Insurgents Circulate the Lie That They Killed the Judge in Saddam’s TrialMichael Newton
June 28, 2014
Such side-stepping will frustrate newcomers in search of elucidation, or at the very least a fuller picture.
The federal and state governments create cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all solutions that frustrate rather than serve.
As a result, using the language of war may only serve to frustrate and mislead the public.
But deadlock in Congress, with the focus on debt instead of demand, continues to frustrate the recovery.
Historical Examples of frustrate
She turned to retreat, but the other two were there to frustrate her purpose.
The Night RidersRidgwell Cullum
But there was always a Great Power to frustrate these designs.
The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 1Henry Baerlein
Here is an opportunity to frustrate the authoritative (father) figure.
A Practical Guide to Self-HypnosisMelvin Powers
Did she, like the rest of them, suspect me of seeking to frustrate his suit by withholding his fortune?
DrossHenry Seton Merriman
Cleveland, baffled and frustrate, straightened up and shut off his cameras.
TriplanetaryEdward Elmer Smith
frustrate
- to hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; thwart
- to upset, agitate, or tireher constant complaints began to frustrate him
- archaic frustrated or thwarted; baffled
Word Origin for frustrate
Word Origin and History for frustrate
mid-15c., from Latin frustratus, past participle of frustrari "to deceive, disappoint, frustrate," from frustra (adv.) "in vain, in error," related to fraus "injury, harm" (see fraud). Related: Frustrated; frustrating.