frustration

[fruh-strey-shuhn]

noun

1. act of frustrating; state of being frustrated: frustrated.

   the frustration of the president's efforts.

2. an instance of being frustrated: frustrated.

   to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.

3. something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.

4. a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

frustration

/ frʌˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. the condition of being frustrated

2. something that frustrates

3. psychol

   1. the prevention or hindering of a potentially satisfying activity

   2. the emotional reaction to such prevention that may involve aggression

Other Word Forms

• nonfrustration noun
• overfrustration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of frustration¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English frustracioun, from Latin frustrātiōn-, stem of frustrātiō “deception, disappointment”; equivalent to frustrate + -ion

Example Sentences

Still, it only added to the frustration that had been brewing after their lackluster performances here in the series’ first two nights, sending the club to five defeats in the last six games.

From Los Angeles Times

Thursday’s session marked a peak of bipartisan frustration over a string of controversial decisions by Kennedy that have thrown his department into disarray.

From Los Angeles Times

Following the Sky’s 88-64 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night, Reese was asked by a reporter about the frustration she seemed to express in the article, which was published earlier that day.

From Los Angeles Times

Where other chefs might bark flat instructions or wave a knife in frustration, her words felt like a hand on your shoulder, a wink across the counter.

From Salon

Patton Exploration’s lawyer, David Gross, acknowledged the neighbors’ frustrations but emphasized the importance of keeping the well pumping.

From Salon

Related Words

• annoyance 
• dissatisfaction 
• failure 
• grievance 
• irritation 
• resentment