frustrated
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
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
Robert K. J. KillhefferExamples of frustrated in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Leaders notice when someone can pause—whether stressed, frustrated, anxious or overly excited—and check their emotions before responding.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The trend comes as many of the young adults of Gen Z — digital natives who came of age during the pandemic — have become frustrated with modern socializing.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Russia’s announcement of the bilateral meeting comes with the US growing increasingly frustrated over the war — Trump has threatened sanctions and tariffs on Russia if a deal is not reached by Friday — and Moscow and Kyiv still far apart in their demands for peace.
—semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal in March, and Trump—historically reluctant to overly criticize Putin—has grown increasingly frustrated with the Kremlin chief.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frustrated
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The trend comes as many of the young adults of Gen Z — digital natives who came of age during the pandemic — have become frustrated with modern socializing.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Russia’s announcement of the bilateral meeting comes with the US growing increasingly frustrated over the war — Trump has threatened sanctions and tariffs on Russia if a deal is not reached by Friday — and Moscow and Kyiv still far apart in their demands for peace.
—semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal in March, and Trump—historically reluctant to overly criticize Putin—has grown increasingly frustrated with the Kremlin chief.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frustrated
Cite this Entry
“Frustrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frustrated. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Ashley MontaguLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share