frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən 

1

: the act of frustrating

The frustration of creative instinct is a notorious evil of the machine age.

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2

a

: the state or an instance of being frustrated

These bureaucratic delays have been causing us a lot of frustration.

b

: a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs

Pent-up frustration … may yet produce an attempt to impose a "solution" by force.

—Economist

Loneliness and frustration; those are two constant themes in American literature …

—Malcolm Cowley

3

: something that frustrates

the government's frustrations with seemingly insoluble problems

Synonyms of frustration

• headache
• annoyance
• nuisance
• worry
• thorn
• exasperation
• inconvenience

Examples of frustration in a Sentence

He shook his head in frustration.

These bureaucratic delays have been causing us a lot of frustration.

These delays have proven to be a major frustration.

We've been experiencing a lot of frustrations.

He was angry about the frustration of his plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each of those have been points of frustration in city leadership in the twilight of Lyles’ tenure. — Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

My one frustration with this area is that clicking a lead’s name turns it into an editable text box rather than opening the profile. — Dianna Gunn, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026

The frustration seems to be directed towards people who reacted as expected, instead of a con. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Some in Senatobia have expressed frustration with the pace of the review and limited remarks by city officials. — Bracey Harris, NBC news, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for frustration

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

a

: an act of frustrating

b

: a state or an instance of being frustrated

2

: a feeling of being unable to get anything done

3

: something that frustrates

Medical Definition

frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

: a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs

2

: something that frustrates

Legal Definition

frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion ˌfrəs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of frustrating

b

: the state or an instance of being frustrated

c

: something that frustrates

2

: a common-law doctrine of contract law: parties to a contract may be excused from performance even though performance is still possible if the reason for making the contract is partially or completely frustrated by a fortuitous event or by circumstances which are not the fault of either party

called also frustration of purpose, frustration of the venture

compare cause sense 4, force majeure clause, impossibility, impracticability

Note: In order for frustration to be used as a successful defense to a breach of contract claim, the reason for making the contract must have been contemplated or recognized by both the contracting parties even though it was not expressed in the contract.