frustration

UK: /frʌˈstreɪʃ^ən/ US: (fru strā′shən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

frus•tra•tion  (fru strā′shən), n. 

1. act of frustrating;
   state of being frustrated:
   the frustration of the president's efforts.
2. an instance of being frustrated:
   to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.
3. something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.
4. Psychology a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

• Latin frustrātiōn- (stem of frustrātiō) deception, disappointment. See frustrate, -ion
• late Middle English frustracioun 1425–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

frustration / frʌˈstreɪʃən/ noun

1. the condition of being frustrated
2. something that frustrates
3. the prevention or hindering of a potentially satisfying activity
4. the emotional reaction to such prevention that may involve aggression

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

frus•trate /ˈfrʌstreɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -trat•ed, -trat•ing. 

1. to make (plans, efforts, etc.) worthless or of no use;
   defeat:
   The steady rains frustrated our plans.
2. to disappoint;
   discourage;
   thwart:
   If you give a child problems that are hard to solve, you may frustrate him.

frus•tra•tion, n. [uncountable] :

feelings of frustration.

[countable] took his frustrations out on his staff.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

frus•trate  (frus′trāt), v., -trat•ed, -trat•ing, adj. 
v.t. 

1. to make (plans, efforts, etc.) worthless or of no avail; defeat;
   nullify:
   The student's indifference frustrated the teacher's efforts to help him.
2. to disappoint or thwart (a person):
   a talented woman whom life had frustrated.

v.i. 

3. to become frustrated:
   His trouble is that he frustrates much too easily.

adj. 

4. frustrated.

• Latin frustrātus, past participle of frustrārī, verb, verbal derivative of frustrā in vain
• late Middle English 1400–50

frus′trat•er, n. 
frus′trat•ing•ly, adv. 
frus•tra•tive  (frus′trā tiv, -trə-), adj.  Synonyms

• 1. balk, foil, circumvent. See thwart.