frustration

noun

(ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce frustration (audio)
Definition of frustrationnext
1
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation bad spelling is a constant frustration to language-arts teachers

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2
as in disappointment
the emotion felt when one's expectations are not met the kids couldn't hide their frustration when they couldn't get the electronic toy to work

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3
as in exasperation
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts the professor's frustration with students who refused to consult the syllabus

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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 frustration Advertisement After some intense frustration and effort, my sense of writing eventually came back to me, but my unsettlement lingered. — Alana Kaufman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026 This can lead to frustration when a person with significant pain finds that their claim depends on meeting a medical standard. — Reputio, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026 Despite her frustration and disappointment, Zamaray urged brands not to see the measure’s collapse as a reason to relax. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026 Her biggest frustration, though, was with the system as a whole. — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frustration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustration
  1. headache
  2. disappointment
  3. exasperation
  4. annoyance
  5. dismay
  6. irritation
  7. nuisance
  8. dissatisfaction
Noun
  • Symptoms can include headache, fever, stiff neck and sensitivity to light.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • However, lead researcher Ferdinand Kuemmeth, an experimental physicist at the University of Regensburg and Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute, argued that the technique solves a looming industrial headache.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • Those who checked Truth Social after CNN projected that the Democratic party would capture the House of Representatives were also set up for disappointment, as the president has yet to comment on those results as well.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026
  • For communities across Sacramento and California, Diwali — the ancient Hindu Festival of Lights — comes with its joyful tradition of illumination to symbolize good over evil, but this year’s celebration is marked with a shadow of disappointment.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of disappointment
Noun
  • At the heart of this movie is a tantalizing hint of an exasperation that’s not just that of a teenager, but of a generation.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • New York fans quickly shed their joy, exchanging it for exasperation.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • The Serbian leader had long been seen as an unpredictable annoyance, and his balancing act wasn’t particularly subtle.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • But the right routine can ease the annoyance and foster success.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • His latest assignment is to cheer up young siblings Gabby (Xochitl Gomez, The Baby-Sitters Club) and Sebastian (Tiago Martinez), whose single mother (an underused America Ferrera) has just moved the family to a new town, much to their dismay.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Fans, including many who had traveled out of state for the event, took to the comments to share their dismay over the announcement.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • Give yourself a little space before irritation starts doing the talking.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In the past, mineral or nontoxic was the way to go for those prone to breakouts or irritation.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritation
Noun
  • In Shibuya, Halloween festivities were already a nuisance — but now, officials realized there was more to worry about than empty bottles and loud music.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The residents want a court to rule that Los Angeles must abate the nuisance on its properties, Wurman said.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • The electoral setback was stoked in part by voter dissatisfaction with the Iran war and elevated fuel prices, a byproduct of the regional conflict that’s affected nearly every sector of the global economy.
    — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Exit polls showed nearly nine out of 10 voters considered the cost of living as a big factor in their vote, while the majority of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction

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frustrating
frustration
frustrations
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Cite this Entry

“Frustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustration. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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