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 Hernandez voiced frustration over the defeat of the assessment. — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 Many of these tracks barely touch two minutes, sometimes not even 90 seconds, and with such a profusion of directions, certain ideas feel fleeting to the point of frustration. — Oba Awolowo, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026 Trump campaigned on addressing those frustrations, promising disruption instead of the status quo. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026 His frustration is echoed across La Guaira, the coastal state hit hardest by the back-to-back earthquakes on June 24. — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 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
  • Puppies getting their first grooming experience, large breeds that are difficult to transport and dogs in multi-pet households where coordinating salon logistics is a headache all stand to gain as well.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Designed for home gardeners who want results without the hassle – no gas, no fumes, and no maintenance headaches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • Since World Cup tickets began selling on FIFA Marketplace last September, fans have expressed disappointment in the expensive price tag.
    — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Coach Hossam Hassan and captain Mohamed Salah expressed their disappointment after the match, while several former players and television pundits also questioned the officiating.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 8 July 2026
Definition of disappointment
Noun
  • At a certain point, the admiration for Paraguay’s underdog defiance and spoiling strategy gave way to exasperation.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • When even her attempts at enjoying life’s simpler pleasures — like some chicken parm and coconut cream pie at home with a glass of wine — go tragically awry, Patricia’s disappointment and exasperation are both hilarious and painfully palpable.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • For players and coaches, the break in play might feel like an annoyance when the temperatures do not seem to demand extra hydration, but what are the physical implications of stopping midway through each half?
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Everyday annoyances add up fast, but fixing them doesn’t have to break the bank.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • Newton didn’t even attempt to jump on the second fumble, much to everyone’s dismay.
    — Scott Fowler July 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • Although Belgium coach Rudi Garcia and the Belgian federation had expressed dismay at FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s red card ban, Garcia said his team was neither distracted nor motivated by the controversy.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • The ribbed fabric is constructed with minimal seams to keep your skin comfortable and irritation-free in humid weather.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 July 2026
  • Though more popular for your skin, when applied to your scalp and strands, the ingredient sloughs off buildup, soothes irritation, reduces dandruff, and controls oil production.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Definition of irritation
Noun
  • This is a nuisance for many people who are using generative AI purely to draft text.
    — Michael Leone, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • The city of Fort Worth is asking a Tarrant County court to declare an East Lancaster Avenue motel a common nuisance, and force its ownership to fix what the city alleges are years of persistent criminal activity.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • The party has focused on driving down consumer costs, seizing on what polling shows is deep dissatisfaction about the economy and worries about affordability.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • The mass demonstrations delayed AfD's vote, prompting Chrupalla to criticize the method in which agitators expressed their dissatisfaction.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 4 July 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 11 Jul. 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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