frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən 

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

Synonyms

• aggravation
• aggro [British]
• annoyance
• bother
• botheration
• bugbear
• exasperation
• hair shirt
• hassle
• headache
• inconvenience
• irk
• irritant
• nuisance
• peeve
• pest
• rub
• ruffle
• thorn
• trial
• vexation

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 on the Web

These stories of frustration paint a picture of young people’s attitudes toward trying to enter the workforce. —Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

A couple of years ago, California’s left-leaning interest groups — those seeking a more expansive array of social and medical services to benefit workers and the state’s large population of low-income residents — seemed to be making a breakthrough after decades of frustration. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

Miami’s frustration and desperation for a home win Wednesday showed in four yellow cards and a red shown David Ruiz -- which preceded the tying goal with Miami a man down. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024

April 4, 2024 Six weeks after thousands of residents and interns at South Korean hospitals walked off the job, frustration is rising. —Jin Yu Young, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Now, after months of desperate frustration, many — but not all — have abandoned that fear and joined the rallies and marches. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Near the end of his address, Özer’s frustrations seemed to turn to bitterness and hubris. —Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024

As the hours went on, frustrations rose, and eventually, close to 9 pm, a confrontation broke out, and a rush of people went for the doors hoping to take matters into their own hands. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024

The report caps years of growing frustration with Microsoftamong lawmakers, government officials and industry experts. —Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

a

: an act of frustrating

b

: a state or an instance of being frustrated

2

: a feeling of being unable to get anything done

3

: something that frustrates

Medical Definition

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

Legal Definition

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 sense 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.