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

Others were organized by labor unions, special interest groups, fired federal workers or just frustrated Americans. —Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025

Ripley then signed the contract and left with it, followed by a visibly frustrated Adam Pearce. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

For a frustrated fan base, there’s good news and bad news. —Doug Haller, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025

Bennet, like many other Democrats, hosted a town hall for frustrated constituents to speak about the Trump administration and the recent continuing resolution fight that put Schumer’s tenure in the spotlight. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 20 Mar. 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