Synonym Chooser

How does the verb frustrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frustrate are baffle, balk, foil, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When is baffle a more appropriate choice than frustrate?

The words baffle and frustrate can be used in similar contexts, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When could balk be used to replace frustrate?

In some situations, the words balk and frustrate are roughly equivalent. However, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When might foil be a better fit than frustrate?

The words foil and frustrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

In what contexts can thwart take the place of frustrate?

The meanings of thwart and frustrate largely overlap; however, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of frustrate This is aimed at those aged 18 and up, and could frustrate younger builders. Paul Brett, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Every head of every government in the world has been frustrated with bureaucrats. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Chrome users who have enjoyed Microsoft’s free text editor may be frustrated by this move. PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025 Both the Valkyries and the visiting Indiana Fever were both visibly frustrated by the start-stop nature of Sunday’s game that took two hours and 38 minutes to complete. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frustrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrate
Verb
  • Marable then came up with a fumble recovery to thwart a Red Oak drive as the Cougars trailed 20-18 at intermission.
    Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In Greenberg’s novel, Cherry and Hero are already secret lovers who conspire to thwart the menfolk’s machinations.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Her ancestor’s analytic model discouraged self-revelation by the therapist, but Freud often meets her guests’ excavations of desire and vulnerability with her own candid recollections.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Speaker Johnson is giving the high ground to the Democrats by discouraging Thomas Massie's petition.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Currently, only 37% of the more than 5 million tons of trash generated in the county each year is recycled — and even that is hampered by a 40% contamination rate.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That’s baffling to me that it was even checked.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Willis, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who starred for the San Francisco 49ers, was baffled by Jerry Jones sending Parsons to Green Bay.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The share of businesses saying that lack of transparency was hindering operations fell by 12 percentage points to 16%.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • These challenges not only hinder women’s economic advancement but also limit businesses from reaching their full potential.
    C200, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Bundys and several others in the vehicles were arrested and charged with multiple federal crimes, including conspiracy to impede federal officers.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Let go of whatever impedes your growth.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On the southwestern side of the fire, hand crews and dozers began building new containment lines along Sycamore Ridge Road to prevent the westward spread of the fire from the Dinkey Creek drainage and cut the fire off close to its active edge.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Dryden also represented his country several times, most notably helping Team Canada defeat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Frustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustrate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on frustrate

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