frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed ˈfrə-ˌstrā-təd 

: feeling, showing, or characterized by frustration: such as

a

: feeling discouragement, anger, and annoyance because of unresolved problems or unfulfilled goals, desires, or needs

In fact Harry thought his behavior had been very good considering how frustrated and angry he felt at being stuck in Privet Drive this long …

—J. K. Rowling

b

: having an ambition that has not been realized

a frustrated actor [=a person who wants to be an actor but has not succeeded in becoming one]

Over the past decade, however, advances in digital printing technologies have brought the costs of publication down and paved the way for thousands of frustrated writers to get their work into print.

—Robert K. J. Killheffer

Examples of frustrated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So, the real high performers start to feel frustrated and low engagement quietly becomes the norm. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Ewing, who moved JR’s Barber Shop at 1731 Swift St. in North Kansas City in September, said he’s left frustrated with the parking problems. —Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025

The attack on Dana by a frustrated patient in episode 9 is something that reflects violence towards doctors and healthcare workers. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 June 2025

Afterwards, frustrated jurors told the media Fairchild’s name. —Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 9 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frustrated

• abated
• ablated
• awaited
• belated
• berated
• castrated
• chelated
• citrated
• collated
• conflated
• created
• curated

Medical Definition

frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed

: filled with a sense of frustration : feeling deep insecurity, discouragement, or dissatisfaction

learned not to resort to aggressiveness when frustrated

—Ashley Montagu