FRUSTRATE Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'frustrate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frustrate are baffle , balk , foil , and thwart . While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. // frustrated attempts at government reform

Q: When is 'baffle' a more appropriate choice than 'frustrate'?

The words baffle and frustrate can be used in similar contexts, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. // baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

Q: When could 'balk' be used to replace 'frustrate'?

In some situations, the words balk and frustrate are roughly equivalent. However, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. // officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Q: When might 'foil' be a better fit than 'frustrate'?

The words foil and frustrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. // foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Q: In what contexts can 'thwart' take the place of 'frustrate'?

The meanings of thwart and frustrate largely overlap; however, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. // the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

frustrate

verb

ˈfrə-ˌstrāt

Definition of frustrate next

as in to thwart

to prevent from achieving a goal a multitude of conflicting opinions frustrated me in my attempt to find a computer that best suits my needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to discourage

to lessen the courage or confidence of challenge the math student, but don't frustrate him or her with overly difficult problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb frustrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frustrate are baffle, balk, foil, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When is baffle a more appropriate choice than frustrate?

The words baffle and frustrate can be used in similar contexts, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When could balk be used to replace frustrate?

In some situations, the words balk and frustrate are roughly equivalent. However, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When might foil be a better fit than frustrate?

The words foil and frustrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

In what contexts can thwart take the place of frustrate?

The meanings of thwart and frustrate largely overlap; however, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of frustrate German laws allow workers to take six weeks of sickness leave while receiving full pay, which has frustrated some employers. —

Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 1 Nov. 2024 Scientists are frustrated that genetic sequencing has not been forthcoming on some of these latest outbreaks. —

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 Beyond being frustrated with the flurry of activity, voters lamented that the political atmosphere in the area had grown tense. —

Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2024 If a confusing and non-transparent promotion system frustrates employees and drives them away, providing an explanation of the unwritten promotion rules in writing to autistic employees might be an accommodation. —

Ludmila Praslova, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for frustrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrate

Verb

Invest in community colleges, where a gigantic proportion of American students are but where a lack of resources often thwarts their ambitions.

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
During Trump’s first term, California had some success in thwarting his plans and policies.

Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024