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

Another improvement the researchers identified solved the problem of birds tapping one target multiple times very quickly and apparently growing frustrated. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

Bumble and Match Group have seen their stock prices plummet as investors grow frustrated. —Lora Kelley, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024

With no one available for help, frustrated contractors turned to social media, sharing their experiences on Reddit and TikTok. —Yiwen Lu, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Mountain West residents may feel better now that inflation is softening and those in California and Hawaii may be more frustrated. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

Goff’s performance fell off in 2019 and in 2020 McVay grew frustrated with the quarterback. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Clients and hair stylists are equally frustrated with the current state of the Black salon experience. —Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

Among other frustrated Zoomers is Lohanny Santos, a 26-year-old with two degrees and able to speak three languages who still couldn’t land a job after going door-to-door handing out resumes to find work. —Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

The go-to for most frustrated parents is to create rules, boundaries and even punishment for the behaviors that are deemed inappropriate, but this is going to be our first problem. —Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

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