frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed ˈfrə-ˌstrā-təd How to pronounce frustrated (audio)
: 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
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.
With plenty of ground balls and frustrated walks back to the dugout, the slugging Division Series Guerrero was gone. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 This story shows that even when judges grow frustrated with prosecutors’ misconduct, their tools are limited. Micah Kimball, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025 But the financial assistance for Argentina, structured in the form of a currency swap, has torn at the president’s MAGA support and frustrated business groups that noted Argentina, an agricultural rival, sold shipments of soybeans to China as talk of a bailout became public. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025 As arena employees started dismantling the balloon columns decorating the venue and turning hordes of mostly female fans away, there was a frenzy of frustrated tweeting and lots of tears. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frustrated

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frustrated was circa 1643

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Cite this Entry

“Frustrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frustrated. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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 frustratedAshley Montagu

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