frustration

American  

[fruh-strey-shuhn] / frʌˈstreɪ ʃən /

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.

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frustration British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonfrustration noun
• overfrustration noun

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

Example Sentences

Reports describe last-minute efforts to hold onto the job and mounting frustration over stalled prosecutions and the handling of high-profile files tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

As designers, we’ve paid abundant attention to user frustration over the years but have ignored the frustrations that come from a smooth and too-easy world.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Villa stars John McGinn and Tyrone Mings both shared their frustration in public over the sale.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Even leaders who were once considered among the U.S. president’s closest allies have expressed growing frustration with him over the Iran conflict and his demands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Finally in frustration I slumped against a rickety fence.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Related Words

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