frustrated

1 of 2

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed ˈfrə-ˌstrā-təd 

: feeling, showing, or characterized by frustration: such as

a

: feeling discouragement, anger, and annoyance because of unresolved problems or unfulfilled goals, desires, or needs

In fact Harry thought his behavior had been very good considering how frustrated and angry he felt at being stuck in Privet Drive this long …

—J. K. Rowling

b

: having an ambition that has not been realized

a frustrated actor [=a person who wants to be an actor but has not succeeded in becoming one]

Over the past decade, however, advances in digital printing technologies have brought the costs of publication down and paved the way for thousands of frustrated writers to get their work into print.

—Robert K. J. Killheffer

frustrated

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of frustrate entry 1

Examples of frustrated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When John finally reunites with Hal (who charges the ring against the lantern while quickly muttering his oath), the frustrated protégé immediately confronts his teacher with all the suspicions he was meant to keep secret. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Our legislation would have prevented the race-to-the-bottom that has now frustrated fans. — U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026

Counsell remained frustrated by the balk call after the inning ended. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

The start of a stone crab legend As a young investment banker working on mergers and acquisitions, Duarte started to grow frustrated with his career and began to think about starting a new one. — Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1574, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frustrated

• abated
• ablated
• awaited
• belated
• berated
• castrated
• chelated
• citrated
• collated
• conflated
• created
• curated

Medical Definition

frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed

: filled with a sense of frustration : feeling deep insecurity, discouragement, or dissatisfaction

learned not to resort to aggressiveness when frustrated

—Ashley Montagu