frustration

noun frus·tra·tion \ (ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Examples: frustration in a Sentence

1 : the act of frustrating

the frustration of creative instinct is a notorious evil of the machine age
—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2 a : the state or an instance of being frustrated

These bureaucratic delays have been causing us a lot of frustration.

b : a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs

loneliness and frustration; those are two constant themes in American literature
—Malcolm Cowley

3 : something that frustrates

the government's frustrations with seemingly insoluble problems

See frustration defined for English-language learners

See frustration defined for kids

Examples of frustration in a Sentence

He shook his head in frustration.
These bureaucratic delays have been causing us a lot of frustration.
These delays have proven to be a major frustration.
We've been experiencing a lot of frustrations.
He was angry about the frustration of his plans.

Recent Examples of frustration from the Web

During his tumultuous presidency, Trump has had plenty of frustrations and setbacks.

— author: ken thomas, catherine lucey, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump enjoying a hot streak, a break from immigration news," 30 June 2018
Doing so would require new powers, or the consent of all member states, but there is little public support for either amid the frustration and fear over migration.

— New York Times, "In U.S. and Europe, Migration Conflict Points to Deeper Political Problems," 29 June 2018
The one man who appears to be easing the country’s frustration and heartache is Mohamed Salah, who seems to be getting unconditional love from back home.

— hamza hendawi, The Seattle Times, "Love for Salah offers refuge from Egypt’s World Cup exit," 26 June 2018
There was unfiltered passion, utter exhaustion, intense frustration and every shade of emotion in between on this spectrum of experiences.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Soccer Legend Displays Every Mood Known to Man With His Dramatic World Cup Reaction," 26 June 2018
The one man who appears to be easing the country's frustration and heartache is Mohamed Salah, who seems to be getting unconditional love from back home.

— hamza hendawi, chicagotribune.com, "Love for Mohamed Salah offers refuge from Egypt's World Cup exit," 26 June 2018
Projecting his frustration onto the Queen (a decision that will definitely make the royal family happy), Markle says the matriarch's choice to meet Donald Trump—and not him—is a mistake.

— ruby buddemeyer, Marie Claire, "Thomas Markle Drags the Queen for Agreeing to Meet With Trump—but Not Him," 26 June 2018
But that anticipation more often than not turns into frustration and disappointment.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Better days ahead for Texas offshore anglers," 23 June 2018
Investor confusion over Deutsche Bank’s strategy, and the lender’s failure to make an after-tax full-year profit for the past three years, have fueled frustration and weighed on shares, and culminated in Mr. Cryan’s ouster in early April.

— jenny strasburg, WSJ, "Deutsche Bank Breaks Up Its Global Corporate-Strategy Group," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frustration.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of frustration

circa 1555

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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frustration Synonyms

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

FRUSTRATION Defined for English Language Learners

frustration

noun

: a feeling of anger or annoyance caused by being unable to do something : the state of being frustrated
: something that causes feelings of anger and annoyance
: the fact of being prevented from succeeding or doing something

FRUSTRATION Defined for Kids

frustration

noun frus·tra·tion \ ˌfrə-ˈstrā-shən \

: disappointment 1, defeat

Medical Dictionary

frustration

noun frus·tra·tion \ (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən \

1 : a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs

2 : something that frustrates

Law Dictionary

frustration

noun frus·tra·tion \ ˌfrəs-ˈtrā-shən \

1 a : the act of frustrating

b : the state or an instance of being frustrated

c : something that frustrates

2 : a common-law doctrine of contract law: parties to a contract may be excused from performance even though performance is still possible if the reason for making the contract is partially or completely frustrated by a fortuitous event or by circumstances which are not the fault of either party — called also frustration of purpose, frustration of the venture; compare cause 4, force majeure clause, impossibility, impracticability

Note: In order for frustration to be used as a successful defense to a breach of contract claim, the reason for making the contract must have been contemplated or recognized by both the contracting parties even though it was not expressed in the contract.