frustrating

adjective

frus·​trat·​ing ˈfrə-ˌstrā-tiŋ 

: causing feelings of anger and annoyance : tending to produce or characterized by frustration

a frustrating delay

a very frustrating experience

Mischel concludes that having the willpower to wait isn't about being stoic. It's about learning techniques that make waiting less frustrating.

—Pamela Druckerman

frustratingly adverb

a frustratingly slow process

The book is sprawling and self-indulgent. Most frustratingly, it is almost entirely devoid of serious military analysis.

—Hew Strachan

Synonyms of frustrating

• annoying
• irritating
• disturbing

Examples of frustrating in a Sentence

All these delays have been very frustrating.

these daily traffic jams are frustrating

Recent Examples on the Web

My foray into underwater meditation was accidental, and an antidote to a frustrating string of poor weather—but destinations around the world are now crafting experiences to help travelers find calm under the waves. —Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025

Any game that maybe he's not done to his standard or had a drop here or been a frustrating game, the way he's responded has been unquestionable. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025

There is nothing more frustrating than dealing with an intoxicated passenger who has a much higher chance of causing issues that can delay—or even divert—a flight. —Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2025

Ghetto Pat now goes by Bob, who is less a dutiful parent to 16-year old Willa (Chase Infiniti) and more a frustrating and paranoid obstacle in her small-town California life. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frustrating

• abating
• awaiting
• berating
• castrating
• chelating
• collating
• conflating
• creating
• debating
• deflating
• derating
• dictating

Kids Definition

frustrating

adjective

: producing frustration

a frustrating delay

frustratingly adverb