frustrating

adjective

frus·​trat·​ing ˈfrə-ˌstrā-tiŋ 

: causing feelings of anger and annoyance : tending to produce or characterized by frustration

a frustrating delay

a very frustrating experience

Mischel concludes that having the willpower to wait isn't about being stoic. It's about learning techniques that make waiting less frustrating.

—Pamela Druckerman

frustratingly adverb

a frustratingly slow process

The book is sprawling and self-indulgent. Most frustratingly, it is almost entirely devoid of serious military analysis.

—Hew Strachan

Synonyms of frustrating

• annoying
• irritating
• disturbing

Examples of frustrating in a Sentence

All these delays have been very frustrating.

these daily traffic jams are frustrating

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, bride-to-be Sara Villareal was having a frustrating experience trying to find a dress for her upcoming wedding. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

Four hours after the frustrating fiasco began, the marsh was once again calm. —Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025

And to be able to have to go through a shoulder surgery definitely was frustrating. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Dec. 2025

With two weeks to go in the year, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the air as the markets whip around in a violent range confusing and frustrating many. —Todd Gordon, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frustrating

• abating
• awaiting
• berating
• castrating
• chelating
• collating
• conflating
• creating
• debating
• deflating
• derating
• dictating

Kids Definition

frustrating

adjective

: producing frustration

a frustrating delay

frustratingly adverb