frustrating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrə-ˌstrā-tiŋ How to pronounce frustrating (audio)
Definition of frustratingnext
as in annoying
causing annoyance these daily traffic jams are frustrating

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frustrating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of frustrate
1
as in baffling
to prevent from achieving a goal a multitude of conflicting opinions frustrated me in my attempt to find a computer that best suits my needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of challenge the math student, but don't frustrate him or her with overly difficult problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 frustrating
Adjective
The film plays hard to get with its own ideas, frustrating audiences who just want to see Fanning fall in love. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Current automation systems require technical know-how and setup, frustrating consumers who are simply interested in enjoying their pool their way, on their schedule. — Jon Viner, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw. — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026 The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for frustrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrating
  1. annoying
  2. baffling
  3. discouraging
  4. irritating
  5. hampering
  6. disturbing
  7. thwarting
Adjective
  • Adults’s Gen-Z characters tend to see their comforts as transient, their identities as mutable, and seriousness as an annoying obligation, all of which the second season pokes at a bit.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Fluctuating estrogen levels can disrupt the nerves responsible for your sense of scent, leading to this symptom that’s equally bizarre and annoying.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • Despite some protests about a dog contributing to the game, Buddy — clad in a bright blue jersey and two pairs of basketball kicks — scores baffling basket after baffling basket, leaving the other team shocked.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of baffling
Verb
  • At the same time, government officials have cast doubt on the safety of vaccines, further discouraging vaccination.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Lieu expressed concern that security perimeters would be so large during the Games that drop-off points would be even more distant, necessitating walks of up to half an hour, discouraging fans from taking buses.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of discouraging
Adjective
  • Mars in your sign challenges disciplined Saturn, creating the deeply irritating experience of feeling motivated and blocked at the same time.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Brands that connect those steps—or simply remove one irritating point of friction—can create disproportionate value.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritating
Verb
  • Birds visiting the feeder can get the goo on their wings, hampering their ability to fly and possibly leading to their untimely deaths.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Rescuers will use an extrication device and a helicopter, Fathur said, adding that there were no reports of people missing and no challenges hampering the search.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampering
Adjective
  • The project follows a husband and wife who buy their dream ranch only to discover the land is alive with ancient spirits, and survival means submitting to increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
  • You might be surprised by just how disturbing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains more than 50 years later.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • Oregon is one of the only states in the country with a carve-out in its public records law that prevents disclosing the financial details of subsidized housing projects, thwarting researchers and journalists who have tried to examine their costs.
    — Rob Davis, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Ed Yardeni isn’t worried about the sharp rise in sovereign bond yields thwarting stocks.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of thwarting

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frustrating
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Cite this Entry

“Frustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustrating. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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