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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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 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
  • AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • This is a swing game that could be the difference between further disappointment and perhaps a winning record and bowl eligibility.
    — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Men’s tennis player Nick Kyrgios expressed disappointment in himself after testing positive for cocaine.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of disappointment
Noun
  • Vain to the point of exasperation, computer genius and hacker Roddy did not have to make an error to be thrown out of MI5 headquarters.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a documentary that implicitly honors these incredible doctors, but more acutely leverages their plight to address the numbing exasperation that such an atrocity is designed to instill among otherwise good people.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • Unfortunately, the sound system problems that began during the Romantics set (and would actually continue during Toto’s performance) hit their height of annoyance while Cross was on the stage.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Seat switchers—passengers who ask to switch seats—also made the list as the top annoyance for 20 percent of respondents.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • Locals sought to protect the land, which had long housed a storied artist residency program, from development, but in the end the foundation sold it to the South Seas resort for $45 million, to the dismay of many.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • We’re filled with dismay at the hard left turn the Democratic Party has been taking in this primary season, and El-Sayed’s narrow win is still a win.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • In the days that followed, students and staff reported headaches, sore throats, skin irritation and red eyes, according to state Agriculture Department interviews.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Sensitive skin will appreciate this formula from Celimax, made with centella asiatica and panthenol, which help calm redness and soothe irritation.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritation
Noun
  • Therefore, the state-level attorney general might opt to bring a legal charge of public nuisance against an AI maker and their AI.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Golden State’s stellar defense has quickly developed a reputation for being a nuisance against top guards in particular.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • Related Stories In their motion to strike the complaint, Netflix’s lawyers argued that Banks’ dissatisfaction with the series does not amount to defamation.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The motion argues that Banks' claims ultimately amount to dissatisfaction with the amount of her interview that was included and how it was edited.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction

Browse Nearby Words

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 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on frustration

Nglish: Translation of frustration for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frustration

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