frustration
Americannoun
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frustrations
plural
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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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
The Florida vote comes as homeowners across the nation have expressed frustration over big jumps in their property taxes.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
Despite her frustration, Lhamo acknowledges that change is inevitable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Turkey has expressed frustration to both sides and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the UN General Assembly the attacks were "unacceptable".
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
On the university's campus this week, the BBC saw growing frustration about the situation.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
“You stopped talking to me!” she says, a hint of frustration rising in her voice.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
Students and community members also used Thursday's student assembly meeting to vent their frustrations and disappointment.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
Bloomberg Law, which first reported the demotions, said Washington Field Office leadership was dissatisfied with the pace of the investigation and that the Miller family shared those frustrations.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026
It was very emotional for me and brought back a lot of memories and a lot of my frustrations on her behalf.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
Trump has vented some of his frustrations over the conflict in calls with the Israeli leader, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
I whispered that last part, barely said it out loud, but with it came all the past doubts and frustrations bubbling up on their way to my mouth.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
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.
