frustrated

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
Français
French
Español
Spanish
Deutsch
German
Português
Portuguese
Русский
Russian
/ˈfrʌstreɪtɪd/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
Annoyed or discouraged by blocked goals, with related uses for unrealized ambition, unsatisfied feelings, and efforts prevented from succeeding.
Practice using frustrated in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The frustrated rescue attempt ended at dusk.
  • Her frustrated effort to negotiate a truce collapsed.
  • He sounded frustrated by the lack of progress.
  • The team grew frustrated as each fix failed.
  • Officials abandoned the frustrated plan after the court order.

Similar words

irritated
disheartened
repressed
foiled
would-be
blocked
unsuccessful
stalled
exasperated
unsuccessful

Meanings

Feeling blocked and annoyed

adjective
emotions
neutral
Feeling annoyed, discouraged, or impatient because something wanted is blocked or not working.

Examples

  • She felt frustrated after the computer crashed.
  • The delayed train left everyone frustrated.
  • He sounded frustrated by the lack of progress.
  • I get frustrated when the instructions are unclear.
  • Parents were frustrated with the school's response.
  • The team grew frustrated as each fix failed.

Similar words

annoyed
irritated
exasperated
discouraged
dissatisfied
disheartened
vexed

Having unrealized ambition

adjective
ambition
neutral
Wanting to have a role or creative identity but not having succeeded in it.

Examples

  • He was a frustrated actor who found work behind the camera.
  • Her uncle is a frustrated novelist with drawers full of drafts.
  • The club was full of frustrated singers waiting for a chance.
  • A frustrated architect, she still filled notebooks with house designs.
  • Many frustrated inventors keep tinkering after work.
  • The essay reads like the work of a frustrated poet.

Similar words

failed
unsuccessful
unfulfilled
would-be
aspiring
thwarted

Blocked desire or emotion

adjective
emotions
neutral
Held back or left unsatisfied, especially when a desire, need, or strong feeling cannot find release.

Examples

  • Her frustrated anger came out in a sharp reply.
  • The letter revealed years of frustrated longing.
  • He stamped his foot in frustrated rage.
  • The policy fed frustrated hopes for reform.
  • They spoke quietly about frustrated desire.
  • Months apart left the couple sexually frustrated.

Similar words

unfulfilled
unsatisfied
repressed
thwarted
blocked
stifled
pent-up

Blocked from success

adjective
actions
formal
Stopped from achieving its aim, usually after an effort, plan, or attempt has been obstructed.

Examples

  • The frustrated rescue attempt ended at dusk.
  • Officials abandoned the frustrated plan after the court order.
  • Her frustrated effort to negotiate a truce collapsed.
  • The frustrated bid for funding left the project on hold.
  • The storm turned the climb into a frustrated attempt.
  • Years of frustrated reform led to a new strategy.

Similar words

thwarted
foiled
blocked
defeated
unsuccessful
stymied
stalled

Etymology

From the past-participle adjective of frustrate, ultimately from Latin frustratus, past participle of frustrari, "to deceive, disappoint, or make vain", from frustra, "in vain".

FAQ

What does frustrated mean?

Frustrated usually means annoyed, discouraged, or impatient because a goal, need, or effort is blocked.

Can frustrated describe a person?

Yes. A person can feel frustrated, and a phrase such as frustrated writer can mean someone whose hoped-for role has not been achieved.

Can frustrated describe emotions or desires?

Yes. Frustrated desire, rage, or love is a feeling that has been blocked, held back, or left unsatisfied.

Can a plan or attempt be frustrated?

Yes. In a more formal use, a frustrated plan or attempt has been prevented from succeeding.

Is frustrated a verb?

No. Frustrated is an adjective or past participle. The base verb is frustrate.

Where does frustrated come from?

Frustrated comes through frustrate from Latin forms linked to being deceived, disappointed, or made vain.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...