Synonyms of frustration

frustration

noun

(ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən 

1

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation

bad spelling is a constant frustration to language-arts teachers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• headache
• annoyance
• nuisance
• worry
• thorn
• exasperation
• inconvenience
• problem
• irritant
• aggravation
• irk
• vexation
• rub
• bugbear
• discomfort
• peeve
• hassle
• trial
• insult
• anxiety
• bother
• menace
• hair shirt
• botheration
• pest
• ruffle
• burden
• predicament
• trouble
• curse
• aggro
• upset
• affront
• plague
• plight
• pinprick
• offender
• sore
• tribulation
• offense
• albatross
• disturber
• pet peeve
• cross
• millstone
• fleabite
• annoyer
• harasser
• mischief
• hang-up
• affliction
• pandora's box

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disappointment
• dismay
• dissatisfaction
• sadness
• displeasure
• sorrow
• discontent
• letdown
• distress
• disillusionment
• discontentment
• unhappiness
• disgruntlement
• disenchantment
• melancholy
• dejection
• oppression
• chagrin
• gloom
• discontentedness
• gloominess
• discomfiture
• blues
• depression
• dreariness
• crestfallenness
• joylessness
• dumps
• despondency
• dolor
• downheartedness
• dejectedness
• doldrums
• desolation
• disconsolateness
• desolateness
• mopes
• dolefulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfaction
• content
• gratification
• contentment
• fulfillment
• joy
• contentedness
• happiness
• bliss
• gladness
• felicity

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exasperation
• irritation
• annoyance
• grief
• displeasure
• anger
• discomfort
• aggravation
• vexation
• indignation
• trouble
• irritability
• bother
• agitation
• outrage
• distress
• upset
• resentment
• pip
• botheration
• aggro
• disturbance
• perturbation
• ire
• irritableness
• pique
• pet
• umbrage
• angriness
• dudgeon
• snappishness
• peeve
• gall
• dander
• huff
• irateness
• chafe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• delight

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of frustration

Any competitive athlete would react with some level of anger and frustration after contact like that. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

There is deep and understandable frustration in the United States about China’s stonewalling on these issues over the last two decades. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Economic hardship for working families and young people exacerbates their frustration and disenfranchisement, while a tepid Democratic leadership response adds to anti-establishment sentiment. — Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Yet, to Alice’s great frustration, she has not been hired as the team’s head coach, watching instead as the job went to Ted. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026