1
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
bad spelling is a constant frustration to language-arts teachers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disappointment
the emotion felt when one's expectations are not met
the kids couldn't hide their frustration when they couldn't get the electronic toy to work
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3
as in exasperation
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts
the professor's frustration with students who refused to consult the syllabus
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frustration
Hundreds of Orange County parents packed into school cafeterias in the past two weeks to vent their frustrations about plans to close seven public schools, complaining the decisions were made without their input and sharing fears that switching schools will hurt their children’s education.
—
Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
All worked out in the end, but the frustrations likely helped the performance.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2026
The broadcast cameras caught Gauff’s frustrations being taken out on her racket.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recognizing that shift early is often what allows family philanthropy to mature with confidence, rather than drift into frustration.
—Kris Putnam-Walkerly, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frustration
Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
All worked out in the end, but the frustrations likely helped the performance.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2026
The broadcast cameras caught Gauff’s frustrations being taken out on her racket.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recognizing that shift early is often what allows family philanthropy to mature with confidence, rather than drift into frustration.
—Kris Putnam-Walkerly, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frustration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustration
Noun
-
Think peachy-bright, brunchy, and a little flirty without the headache.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sonny Fouts, 71, has had a headache, stomachache and trouble sleeping since seeing news reports that the 37-year-old ICU nurse had been fatally shot by ICE agents Saturday, the vet and retired musician told People.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To the crowd’s disappointment, Kastelic lost his balance before any real shots were thrown and the linesmen stepped in to end it.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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And to spring back to mazeh for a moment, the menu’s weirdest disappointment was the hummus, a dish that isn’t a longstanding part of Iranian cuisine, but, as with so many of us in the world who love blitzed garbanzos, has been adopted from its Eastern Mediterranean origins.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the meantime, some may recall then UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s exasperation over the planning for D-Day, the operation that would liberate Western Europe from Nazi Germany.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
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Fans have argued this point for decades, and Cameron approached it with an unexpected mix of passion and exasperation.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Apple has been working to eliminate the inner screen’s visible crease, a longtime annoyance of the category.—
Chris Welch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
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That said, your annoyance is also valid.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Walz expressed dismay at the characterization.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
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Much to Chicago’s dismay, the Bears are out of the playoffs, losing in overtime Sunday night to the Los Angeles Rams.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Just avoid placing them directly against bare skin for extended periods to prevent irritation or burns.—
Ashlea Halpern,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While often seen as a nuisance that reduces confinement, this new research suggests they can be used as a control mechanism.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
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The click-clack, click-clack of a mill that operated around the clock would serve as either a constant nuisance or soothing white noise, depending on one’s disposition.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Overall, the survey found that renovating homeowners often cite dissatisfaction with the old kitchen’s style as their top motivator at 41 percent, followed by kitchen deterioration or dysfunction as a top motivator (38 percent).—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
19 Jan. 2026
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That dissatisfaction has since moved beyond internal advocacy and into open political pressure.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustration. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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