frustration
[fruh-strey-shuh n]
- act of frustrating; state of being frustrated: the frustration of the president's efforts.
- an instance of being frustrated: to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.
- something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.
- a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.
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Origin of frustration
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
annoyance, grievance, resentment, failure, irritation, dissatisfaction, blow, chagrin, disgruntlement, defeat, setback, contravention, letdown, obstruction, drag, circumvention, fizzle, bummer, hindrance, impedimentExamples from the Web for frustration
Contemporary Examples
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.
After some animated debate at the conference, Lelaie declared, with some frustration, “If you push on the stick, you will fly.”
He also posted the results of the interactions that usually ended in frustration, but on rare successes, began with “DATE!”
Cook walked more slowly than most, stopping to engage with passersby who expressed their own frustration and support.
Adding to the frustration is that it's rare that the police will be charged with a crime when they kill unarmed people.
Historical Examples
His grandfather had often discussed this frustration in human life.
The Pirates of ErsatzMurray Leinster
He felt, of course, the mockery of this frustration of his powers.
Waiting for DaylightHenry Major Tomlinson
There was no frustration, no uncertainty in Gunderson's mind.
Eight Keys to EdenMark Irvin Clifton
How was it they were always compensating for their frustration?
Next Door, Next WorldRobert Donald Locke
The frustration and the exposure of that plot has increased our reputation an hundredfold.
The LoyalistJames Francis Barrett
frustration
- the condition of being frustrated
- something that frustrates
- psychol
- the prevention or hindering of a potentially satisfying activity
- the emotional reaction to such prevention that may involve aggression
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for frustration
n.
"act of frustrating," 1550s, from Latin frustrationem (nominative frustratio) "a deception, a disappointment," noun of action from past participle stem of frustrari (see frustrate). Earlier (mid-15c.) with a sense of "nullification."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
frustration
(frŭ-strā′shən)- The condition that results when an impulse or an action is thwarted by an external or an internal force.
- The blocking or thwarting of an impulse, purpose, or action.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.