frustration

1 something that is a source of irritation bad spelling is a constant frustration to language-arts teachers Synonyms aggravation, aggro [British], bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, annoyance, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexationRelated Words discomfort, fleabite, pinprick; affront, insult, offense (or offence); upset, worry; affliction, albatross, burden, cross, curse, menace, millstone, plague, sore; anxiety, plight, predicament, tribulation, trouble; hang-up, pet peeve, problem; annoyer, disturber, harasser, mischief, offender; pandora's boxNear Antonyms delight, joy, pleasure

2 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 dismay, dissatisfaction, disappointment, letdownRelated Words crestfallenness, discontent, discontentedness, discontentment, disgruntlement, displeasure; disenchantment, disillusionment; blues, dejectedness, dejection, depression, desolateness, desolation, despondency, disconsolateness, distress, doldrums, dolefulness, dolor, downheartedness, dreariness, dumps, gloom, gloominess, joylessness, melancholy, mopes, oppression, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness; chagrin, discomfitureNear Antonyms fulfillment (or fulfilment); bliss, felicity, gladness, happiness, joyAntonyms content, contentedness, contentment, gratification, satisfaction

3 the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts the husband's frustration over his wife's constant nagging became too much to bear Synonyms aggravation, aggro [British], bother, botheration, exasperation, annoyance, grief, irritation, pip [chiefly British], vexationRelated Words agitation, discomfort, displeasure, distress, disturbance, upset; irritability, irritableness, peeve, perturbation, pet, pique, resentment, snappishness, trouble; anger, angriness, chafe, dander, dudgeon, gall, huff, indignation, irateness, ire, outrage, umbrageNear Antonyms delight, pleasure