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

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

Examples of frustrated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As frustrated centrists are quick to point out, primary victories in deep-blue urban districts won’t flip the seats necessary for Democrats to win congressional majorities. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026

These capital allocators have already reshaped industries, rolled up competitors, and in some cases left a trail of bad deals and frustrated owners in their wake. — Lewis Schiff, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Goldman, who has been repeatedly slammed by Lander on the issue, was clearly frustrated and upset, saying that the AIPAC attack could lead to more antisemitism. — Mark Prussin, CBS News, 23 June 2026

How did the politics and mood of the 1990s help turn frustrated environmental activists into the Earth Liberation Front? — Greg Hanlon, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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