frustrate

verb frus·trate \ ˈfrə-ˌstrāt \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: frustrate in a Sentence

Definition of frustrate

frustrated; frustrating

transitive verb

1 a : to balk or defeat in an endeavor

frustrated her opponents by her ball-handling

b : to induce feelings of discouragement in

Not being able to find a job frustrated him.

2 a (1) : to make ineffectual : bring to nothing

Illness frustrated his plans for college.

(2) : impede, obstruct

The project was frustrated by government regulations.

b : to make invalid or of no effect

See frustrate defined for English-language learners

See frustrate defined for kids

Examples of frustrate in a Sentence

It frustrated him to miss so many games because of injuries.
We've been frustrated by bureaucratic delays.
Bureaucratic delays have frustrated our efforts to resolve this problem.
The lack of investors has frustrated them in their efforts to expand the company.

Recent Examples of frustrate from the Web

His mother’s politically correct terminology frustrates him.

— joan gaylord, The Christian Science Monitor, "'There There' weaves a powerful tale of contemporary urban Native Americans," 2 July 2018
Investigative reports like these take time, and not surprisingly, sometimes journalists get frustrated as well.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Sil Lai Abrams Accuses Russell Simmons, A.J. Calloway of Sexual Assault, Slams NBC For Silencing Her Voice: Report," 28 June 2018
In spite of being up against a stubborn, somewhat cynical Tunisia side, this young England team never gave up, never got frustrated, and just kept pushing and pushing for the winner.

— SI.com, "Why England's Dramatic Late Win Over Tunisia Could Be More Important to the Team Than a Thrashing," 19 June 2018
But Palo Alto did not embrace Stevens’ radical approach to wealth inequality, and this began to frustrate him.

— alana semuels, The Atlantic, "The Preacher Who Wanted to Save Silicon Valley’s Soul," 29 May 2018
When the legendary Japanese grappler Antonio Inoki got frustrated with an opponent and stomped him into unconsciousness, that was a shoot.

— chris sims, The Verge, "To understand feuds between virtual Instagram models, you need to understand pro wrestling," 9 May 2018
He or she either gets frustrated and quits, gets pushed out or changes.

— michael r. cheuvront, WSJ, "Comey and the President: A Reality TV Show," 24 Apr. 2018
Interviews with denizens of Pultusk-like towns by Maciej Gdula, a sociologist at Warsaw University, reveal that PiS supporters are neither left behind nor frustrated with their lives.

— The Economist, "Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party is doing lasting damage," 21 Apr. 2018
In one scene, the adult children get frustrated when their mother is having trouble logging onto her computer.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "'Taking Turns' premiers at Three Brothers in Waukegan," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frustrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of frustrate

Middle English, from Latin frustratus, past participle of frustrare to deceive, frustrate, from frustra in error, in vain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

frustrate Synonyms

Phrases

throw cold water on;

Synonym Discussion of frustrate

frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk 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

thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

- the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

- foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

- baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

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

frustrate

adjective

Definition of frustrate

: characterized by frustration

Origin and Etymology of frustrate

see ¹frustrate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

FRUSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

frustrate

verb

Definition of frustrate for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone) to feel angry, discouraged, or upset because of not being able to do something
: to prevent (efforts, plans, etc.) from succeeding : to keep (someone) from doing something

FRUSTRATE Defined for Kids

frustrate

verb frus·trate \ ˈfrə-ˌstrāt \

Definition of frustrate for Students

frustrated; frustrating

1 : to cause to feel angry or discouraged

The delays frustrated passengers.

2 : to prevent from succeeding

Police frustrated the robbery.

3 : ¹defeat 2

The bad weather frustrated their plans for the beach.

Medical Dictionary

frustrate

transitive verb frus·trate \ ˈfrəs-ˌtrāt \

medical Definition of frustrate

frustrated; frustrating

: to induce feelings of frustration in

Law Dictionary

frustrate

transitive verb frus·trate \ ˈfrəs-ˌtrāt \

legal Definition of frustrate

frustrated; frustrating

: to make invalid or ineffectual : defeat

the remedial purposes of the Workers' Compensation Act should not be frustrated by rigid technical standards
—Palmer v. Bath Iron Works Corp., 559 A.2d 340 (1989)