frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce frustration (audio)
1
: the act of frustrating
the frustration of creative instinct is a notorious evil of the machine ageThe 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 literatureMalcolm Cowley
3
: something that frustrates
the government's frustrations with seemingly insoluble problems

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
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 an 82% majority, union members voted to reject the offer, citing frustrations over annual wage increases and changes to the contract’s expiration date. Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025 Viral videos and thousands of comments soon followed, mostly echoing her frustration that the chain was rebranding instead of putting the focus on food quality. Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025 There will be a dividend cut by 2027, a punitive refinancing in 2029, deeper franchisee frustration, unit closures, and a slow bleed into irrelevance. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 On those calls, the rapper expressed his frustration with many of his peers and commented on industry rumors and gossip (such as the falling out between Metro Boomin and Drake). Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frustration

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of frustration was circa 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frustration. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

frustration

noun
frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən How to pronounce frustration (audio)
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 How to pronounce frustration (audio)
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 How to pronounce frustration (audio)
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.

More from Merriam-Webster on frustration

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