Synonym Chooser

How does the verb frustrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frustrate are baffle, balk, foil, and thwart. While all these words 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

When is baffle a more appropriate choice than frustrate?

The words baffle and frustrate can be used in similar contexts, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When could balk be used to replace frustrate?

In some situations, the words balk and frustrate are roughly equivalent. However, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When might foil be a better fit than frustrate?

The words foil and frustrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

In what contexts can thwart take the place of frustrate?

The meanings of thwart and frustrate largely overlap; however, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of frustrate Regulars knew that the venue’s arrival would likely bring about some changes, and some have been frustrated that the pool tables are covered on show nights. Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025 Washington said that was the culmination of a day in which Enright and the Angels were frustrated with Ortiz. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 19 June 2025 The family is frustrated because many possible pieces of evidence about what happened that night have been posted on social media, Lucy said. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2025 Having borrowed the sand and surf motif from his surfer brother Dennis Wilson — the only surfer among the group — Brian later became inspired, and frustrated, by The Beatles’ evolving sound. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for frustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrate
Verb
  • Bill Daly is a former FBI investigator who worked to thwart terror attacks and dealt with foreign counterintelligence.
    Peter D'Abrosca , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
  • Nena Farrell The Best Bike Locks and Ebike Locks Our favorite bike locks for every ride, including new locks designed to thwart angle grinders.
    Parker Hall, Wired News, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • While global finance institutions and investors have long been interested in diversifying to China, Beijing’s strict controls on capital outflows and relatively opaque system have discouraged large-scale buying of mainland China assets.
    Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 June 2025
  • Recent research found that 340B-eligible hospitals secured substantial profit margins on outpatient drugs and that the program discouraged biosimilar adoption, favoring expensive brand-name drugs with higher 340B profit margins.
    Ge Bai, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 June 2025
  • As exciting as the high-speed maze gameplay gets, though, Pac-Man Superfast is hampered by a few odd design decisions.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • When Burrell wasn’t tapped to join the show’s 28th season in January — after playing a central role in the first 27 — viewers were appalled and even Burrell was baffled.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
  • What baffles researchers is that some people who suffer from chronic pain report not having a past injury or evidence of illness.
    Nicole Pajer, People.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • However, rather than hindering its movement, this feature is actually an adaptation that enhances its ability to survive in a diverse range of North American habitats.
    Smithsonian magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2025
  • And continuing to avoid important financial conversations when a child returns home as an adult can further hinder a boomerang child's ability to navigate future financial decisions, Gonzalez says.
    Natalie Wu, CNBC, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • This month she was indicted on three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
  • The indictment, announced earlier this month, accuses McIver of three counts: two felonies for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers—each carrying up to eight years in prison—and a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The agreement will prevent Hohauser from ever again serving as a judge in the state after his resignation.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
  • That didn’t prevent a few hundred León fans from traveling over 1,500 miles to Atlanta to support their club – or at least the club’s cause.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • This article gives her plenty of credit for defeating Sabalenka.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Leon made the team, and Canada went on to defeat Sweden in penalty kicks for the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer.
    Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Frustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustrate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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