frustrated

American  

[fruhs-trey-tid] / ˈfrʌs treɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. disappointed; thwarted.

   an announcer who was a frustrated actor.

2. having a feeling of or filled with frustration; dissatisfied.

   His unresolved difficulty left him absolutely frustrated.

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frustrated British  

/ frʌˈstreɪtɪd /

adjective

1. having feelings of dissatisfaction or lack of fulfilment

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Other Word Forms

• unfrustrated adjective

Etymology

Origin of frustrated

First recorded in 1635–45; frustrate + -ed ²

Explanation

Frustrated is an adjective that describes feeling disappointed and unsuccessful. If you try to fix your car for hours and hours but it still won't work, you will feel frustrated. People become frustrated when they fail to achieve their goals, both large and small. If you are constantly frustrated, it can build up into anger or bitterness. People sometimes need to vent, or express themselves, when they are very frustrated, in order to let it go. But if you can't shake that frustrated feeling, maybe a change is in order — a new job, different friends, maybe even a cat to remind you that calm is good.

Example Sentences

“The physical disruption is real and people are frustrated because the futures market is kind of orderly and calm,” said Tom Kloza, chief energy adviser at Gulf Oil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Agnes is frustrated by the rigidness of being a girl, but she’s also curious about what’s to come, and getting her period is critical to that.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

"I was just so frustrated… I just can't believe they're taking his word on this."

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Some Americans aren’t just bored with space, they’re frustrated with who controls access to space.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

She was always sweet and kind, never a bit frustrated, no matter what Chicken did.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn