frustrate

play

verb frus·trate \ ˈfrə-ˌstrāt \

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

Local supporters are frustrated that San Diego hasn’t been able to follow suit despite the council approving an ordinance in February 2016.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Dream of urban gardens stymied by red tape," 18 Aug. 2017
The low compliance frustrates scientists because inoculation could basically eliminate yellow fever nationwide, and do so at a pittance.

— sam kean, Science | AAAS, "When will yellow fever strike Brazil again? Monkeys and mosquitoes hold clues," 17 Aug. 2017
Perhaps Young wanted to frustrate Mayor John Cranley on the $500 million Children's Hospital expansion deal in Avondale, simply to stall what will be a big win for the mayor in an election year.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: Where in the world is Wendell Young?," 2 Aug. 2017
Frustrated, Issa spends most of the episode cyberstalking Tasha on Instagram, judging her thirst traps and trying to discern Lawrence’s taste.

— cate young, Cosmopolitan, "Insecure Recap: Issa Deals With the Aftermath of Her "Nebulous" Sex," 31 July 2017
Despite the settlement, Cruz's family remains frustrated by the fact that the government never apologized, or even conceded that something wrong had taken place.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "Surveillance Footage Shows Border Officers Forcing Teen to Drink Liquid Meth," 31 July 2017
This recusal obviously frustrates Trump enough to warrant a tweetstorm, the president’s weapon of choice.

— sean mesidor, Essence.com, "Replacing AG Jeff Sessions With Rudy Giuliani Still Spells Trouble For Black Communities," 26 July 2017
Suzanne Carmick has been frustrated with the Erickson plan’s unwillingness to pay for most of her mother’s prolonged stay.

— jordan rau, Kaiser Health News, "Nursing Homes Move Into The Insurance Business," 13 July 2017
Thus, the summer has also meant a new start, as Miller begins to install his offense and defense, the latter perhaps more appealing to IU fans frustrated by inconsistency at that end of the floor.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "Insider: Archie Miller 'anxious' as his first IU team takes shape," 11 July 2017

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

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frustrate Synonyms

Synonyms

baffle, balk, beat, checkmate, discomfit, foil, thwart

Antonyms

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote

Related Words

bar, block, clog, encumber, fetter, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, halt, set back, short-circuit, stall, stop; avert, forestall, obviate, preclude, prevent; negate, neutralize, nullify; counteract, offset; conquer, defeat, overcome

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist; ease, facilitate, smooth

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

See Words from the same year

FRUSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

frustrate

play

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

play

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

play

transitive verb frus·trate \ ˈfrəs-ˌtrāt \

medical Definition of frustrate

frustrated; frustrating

:to induce feelings of frustration in

Law Dictionary

frustrate

play

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)