FRUSTRATION Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

frustration

noun

(ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən

Definition of frustration

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation bad spelling is a constant frustration to language-arts teachers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 frustration Additionally, being sent into a very difficult client’s home without any preparation and/or proper training and support can create extreme frustration and a rapid decline in caregiver morale. — Colin Conner Ii, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 In a recent interview with The Times, Bass signaled her frustration with the slow pace of change within the LAPD. — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Fans of any struggling franchise go through different stages of voicing their frustration, and supporters of the 1-4 Arizona Cardinals have reached a big one. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 In fact, Mike’s frustration at his own ineffectuality seems to be what’s at least partly destroying his public image. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frustration

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustration

Noun

The biggest headache for Thune was the Save America Act, a voter ID bill that lacked a strategy to become law in the Senate.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
In Meta’s case, creepy video-recording incidents and privacy-light tampering have caused severe headaches for the company.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

To rely on him on a day-to-day basis is to live under conditions of constant disappointment.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The trading disappointment comes after CEO Brian Moynihan told analysts last month that trading revenue would be roughly flat; instead the combined bond and stock trading results fell by 5%.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disappointment

Noun

The tweet ended with an emoji of a man facepalming, conveying Johnson’s exasperation over the last play of Washington’s 27-27 tie with the New York Giants.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
But through a bit of TV fame, and Ramsay’s signature yelling, ranting, exasperation and, in the end, brotherly wisdom, perhaps its restaurant dreams can come true.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of exasperation

Noun

All the women piled into Louisa’s company car are off scrambling for safety in this episode, which leads to some quality bickering between Louisa and Shirley that only their mutual annoyance with Moira can silence.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
The third season sees Ranma and fiancée Akane have to deal with old annoyances, new dangers, and even more shenanigans.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoyance

Noun

To his dismay, many of the exultant people in cowboy hats, burnt orange T-shirts and other spirit gear appeared to be of South Asian heritage.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Holmes denies having said it, and the remark isn’t on the couple’s own recordings of the interviews in question, but, to their dismay, the article’s editor, after reviewing the journalist’s notes, stands by the reporting.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

The cream caused minimal skin irritation, and the drug was detected in the blood of very few participants, according to the company.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
My irritation was not with the charge itself but with how some of the commentaries about it invoked as evidence Vance’s wish to be buried in the country graveyard where generations of his ancestors already rest.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritation

Noun

But a big cooler is one guest that can really crash and burn the party – a hard, bulky nuisance that's uncomfortable on or near the bed and unsecure outside the vehicle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Attorneys for the Bloomfield group have argued that the building behind the Pyles does not create a nuisance.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

There’s a difference between formally asking for a trade and making your dissatisfaction known, and Reese had certainly done the latter.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Connect each allegation to specific claim activity, not general dissatisfaction.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissatisfaction

Browse Nearby Words

frustrating

frustration

frustrations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Frustration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustration. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of frustration

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on frustration

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fervid

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes