Main Entry:

¹frus·trate

Pronunciation:

\ˈfrəs-ˌtrāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

frus·trat·ed; frus·trat·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin frustratus, past participle of frustrare to deceive, frustrate, from frustra in error, in vain

Date:

15th century

1 a: to balk or defeat in an endeavor b: to induce feelings of discouragement in2 a (1): to make ineffectual : bring to nothing (2): impede, obstruct b: to make invalid or of no effect

synonyms frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent <frustrated attempts at government reform>. thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing <the army thwarted his attempt at a coup>. foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort <foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her>. baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling <baffled by the maze of rules and regulations>. balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances <officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime>.