frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed ˈfrə-ˌstrā-təd 

: feeling, showing, or characterized by frustration: such as

a

: feeling discouragement, anger, and annoyance because of unresolved problems or unfulfilled goals, desires, or needs

In fact Harry thought his behavior had been very good considering how frustrated and angry he felt at being stuck in Privet Drive this long …

—J. K. Rowling

b

: having an ambition that has not been realized

a frustrated actor [=a person who wants to be an actor but has not succeeded in becoming one]

Over the past decade, however, advances in digital printing technologies have brought the costs of publication down and paved the way for thousands of frustrated writers to get their work into print.

—Robert K. J. Killheffer

Examples of frustrated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Turns out, Ecuador fans are even more frustrated about that than Plata. —Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026

Torres’ inaccuracy in front of goal has even spawned countless memes on Spanish-speaking social media from frustrated fans and amused neutrals. —Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

An Associated Press journalist witnessed more than a dozen frustrated fans at the match who said they were stuck in similar situations. —R.j. Rico, Fortune, 20 June 2026

The crowd in Guadalajara grew frustrated and began booing the Mexican national team’s performance at the end of the first half. —Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frustrated

• abated
• ablated
• awaited
• belated
• berated
• castrated
• chelated
• citrated
• collated
• conflated
• created
• curated

Medical Definition

frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed

: filled with a sense of frustration : feeling deep insecurity, discouragement, or dissatisfaction

learned not to resort to aggressiveness when frustrated

—Ashley Montagu