frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frə-ˈstrā-shən 

1

: the act of frustrating

the frustration of creative instinct is a notorious evil of the machine age

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2

a

: the state or an instance of being frustrated

These bureaucratic delays have been causing us a lot of frustration.

b

: a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs

loneliness and frustration; those are two constant themes in American literature

—Malcolm Cowley

3

: something that frustrates

the government's frustrations with seemingly insoluble problems

Synonyms

• aggravation
• aggro [British]
• annoyance
• bother
• botheration
• bugbear
• exasperation
• hair shirt
• hassle
• headache
• inconvenience
• irk
• irritant
• nuisance
• peeve
• pest
• rub
• ruffle
• thorn
• trial
• vexation

Examples of frustration in a Sentence

He shook his head in frustration.

These bureaucratic delays have been causing us a lot of frustration.

These delays have proven to be a major frustration.

We've been experiencing a lot of frustrations.

He was angry about the frustration of his plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

While many developers are unhappy with Apple’s implementation, not every company with a browser on the choice screen expressed frustration. —Reece Rogers, WIRED, 29 Apr. 2024

The ruling signaled victory for a campaign that had endured since 2012 and was built on frustrations about schools, crime, infrastructure and the resources devoted to that part of the parish. —Rick Rojas, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2024

As the ball landed in the gap, Glasnow turned and growled in frustration. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024

The message of frustration came from an area familiar to LaTurner. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2024

The jump in profit arrives as PG&E customers express increasing frustration with skyrocketing monthly bills. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2024

Adding to their frustration, long lines also stretch southbound to enter Mexico. —Calmatters, Orange County Register, 24 Apr. 2024

This news also comes amid frustration over Clark’s WNBA salary. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 23 Apr. 2024

Stone would later clarify that while the company was allowing more violent speech on its platforms to account for frustration in Ukraine at a violent invasion, any calls for violence against Russian civilians were still strictly banned. —Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

a

: an act of frustrating

b

: a state or an instance of being frustrated

2

: a feeling of being unable to get anything done

3

: something that frustrates

Medical Definition

frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

: a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs

2

: something that frustrates

Legal Definition

frustration

noun

frus·​tra·​tion ˌfrəs-ˈtrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of frustrating

b

: the state or an instance of being frustrated

c

: something that frustrates

2

: a common-law doctrine of contract law: parties to a contract may be excused from performance even though performance is still possible if the reason for making the contract is partially or completely frustrated by a fortuitous event or by circumstances which are not the fault of either party

called also frustration of purpose, frustration of the venture

compare cause sense 4, force majeure clause, impossibility, impracticability

Note: In order for frustration to be used as a successful defense to a breach of contract claim, the reason for making the contract must have been contemplated or recognized by both the contracting parties even though it was not expressed in the contract.