Frustrate
verb
To make someone feel annoyed or less confident because they cannot achieve what they want.
She felt frustrated in her job and decided to resign.
Often appears as...
- frustrate someone
- frustrate efforts
verb
To prevent the plans, efforts, or attempts of something from succeeding.
Their attempt to escape was frustrated by the security guard.
Often appears as...
- frustrate plans
- frustrate attempts
verb
In legal context, to nullify or defeat the enforcement or effect of something.
The defendant was able to frustrate the contract.
Often appears as...
- frustrate a contract
- frustrate a claim
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To make someone feel annoyed or less confident because they cannot achieve what they want.
She felt frustrated in her job and decided to resign.
Often appears as...
- frustrate someone
- frustrate efforts
verb
To prevent the plans, efforts, or attempts of something from succeeding.
Their attempt to escape was frustrated by the security guard.
Often appears as...
- frustrate plans
- frustrate attempts
verb
In legal context, to nullify or defeat the enforcement or effect of something.
The defendant was able to frustrate the contract.
Often appears as...
- frustrate a contract
- frustrate a claim
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Personal Feelings
Use 'frustrate' to express personal setbacks or disappointments in various situations.
His constant interruptions frustrate my efforts to explain the rules.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional States
The term indicates a strong emotional response to obstacles, often related to personal goals.
Losing the game at the last moment really frustrated the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Anger
'Frustrate' involves a mix of emotions, not just anger, but also disappointment and helplessness.
She grew frustrated with the unclear instructions, not knowing what to do next.
Pro Tip 1/3Personal Feelings
Use 'frustrate' to express personal setbacks or disappointments in various situations.
His constant interruptions frustrate my efforts to explain the rules.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional States
The term indicates a strong emotional response to obstacles, often related to personal goals.
Losing the game at the last moment really frustrated the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Anger
'Frustrate' involves a mix of emotions, not just anger, but also disappointment and helplessness.
She grew frustrated with the unclear instructions, not knowing what to do next.
Pro Tip 1/3Personal Feelings
Use 'frustrate' to express personal setbacks or disappointments in various situations.
His constant interruptions frustrate my efforts to explain the rules.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional States
The term indicates a strong emotional response to obstacles, often related to personal goals.
Losing the game at the last moment really frustrated the team.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Anger
'Frustrate' involves a mix of emotions, not just anger, but also disappointment and helplessness.
She grew frustrated with the unclear instructions, not knowing what to do next.
Never forget "Frustrate"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Upgrading management...
represent the life of a worker one century ago and it's frustrating because we all know what a great day feels like a day where you're able to keep the most important thing the most important thing that indescribable feeling that sense of accomplishment that comes from having
Video examples
Debunking the myths of...
for experiencing anxiety based on irrational thoughts and finding it difficult to control their responses. So what exactly causes OCD? The frustrating answer is we don't really know. However, we have some important clues. OCD is considered a neurobiological disorder.
Video examples
The incredible...
Our very first tool only cut where we struck it. The chisel only carves where the artist points it. And even our most advanced tools do nothing without our explicit direction. In fact, to date, and this is something that frustrates me, we've always been limited
Video examples
A whale saved my life PIPE...
literally out of the water. That was just unreal and I wasn't up there for too long before 'Poof' I was right back down underwater again. He was getting frustrated. He was and so at that point, I think he said, OK, fine, I'm just going to put you on my face.
Video examples
Magnificent Whale...
no match for an entire pod of killer whales the brainy sea lion wisely hides where they can't follow hiding in the kelp makes it harder for the killer whales to see him and impossible to actually get at him the frustrated killer whales step the
Video examples
What makes something...
are made clear to him. This sort of scenario is considered so characteristic of Kafka's work that scholars came up with a new word for it. Kafkaesque has entered the vernacular to describe unnecessarily complicated and frustrating experiences,
Video examples
How to make your writing...
And the opposite of the dumbest idea might just turn out to be the smartest. What about all that dumb stuff that happens in real life? Have you ever noticed how much comedy revolves around things that irritate, frustrate, and humiliate us?
Video examples
Megan Kamerick: Women...
and I was frustrated by the lagging status of women in our profession and what that meant for our image in the media. We make up half the population of the world, but we're just 24 percent of the news subjects quoted in news stories.
Video examples
Let's talk about sex -...
What if it can't be scaled up? Well, that would be very frustrating for everyone in this industry, wouldn't it? And, many of them are really trying to help. Who, then? We have to talk to kids.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 372 PIPE...
deeply frustrating janta phone through all those bushes
Video examples
Upgrading management...
represent the life of a worker one century ago and it's frustrating because we all know what a great day feels like a day where you're able to keep the most important thing the most important thing that indescribable feeling that sense of accomplishment that comes from having
Video examples
Debunking the myths of...
for experiencing anxiety based on irrational thoughts and finding it difficult to control their responses. So what exactly causes OCD? The frustrating answer is we don't really know. However, we have some important clues. OCD is considered a neurobiological disorder.
Video examples
The incredible...
Our very first tool only cut where we struck it. The chisel only carves where the artist points it. And even our most advanced tools do nothing without our explicit direction. In fact, to date, and this is something that frustrates me, we've always been limited
Video examples
A whale saved my life PIPE...
literally out of the water. That was just unreal and I wasn't up there for too long before 'Poof' I was right back down underwater again. He was getting frustrated. He was and so at that point, I think he said, OK, fine, I'm just going to put you on my face.
Video examples
Magnificent Whale...
no match for an entire pod of killer whales the brainy sea lion wisely hides where they can't follow hiding in the kelp makes it harder for the killer whales to see him and impossible to actually get at him the frustrated killer whales step the
Video examples
What makes something...
are made clear to him. This sort of scenario is considered so characteristic of Kafka's work that scholars came up with a new word for it. Kafkaesque has entered the vernacular to describe unnecessarily complicated and frustrating experiences,
Video examples
How to make your writing...
And the opposite of the dumbest idea might just turn out to be the smartest. What about all that dumb stuff that happens in real life? Have you ever noticed how much comedy revolves around things that irritate, frustrate, and humiliate us?
Video examples
Megan Kamerick: Women...
and I was frustrated by the lagging status of women in our profession and what that meant for our image in the media. We make up half the population of the world, but we're just 24 percent of the news subjects quoted in news stories.
Video examples
Let's talk about sex -...
What if it can't be scaled up? Well, that would be very frustrating for everyone in this industry, wouldn't it? And, many of them are really trying to help. Who, then? We have to talk to kids.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 372 PIPE...
deeply frustrating janta phone through all those bushes
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Garry Shandling
American Comedian
My second or third year in the engineering department, I got very frustrated, and I sat down with myself and had a soul-searching conversation with myself and said, 'What I'd really like to do is see if I can write comedy.' ... I moved to L.A. stone cold. Didn't know anybody; didn't know how to go about it. Really started from scratch.
Quote examples
Robert Kubica
Polish Driver
There are some things I cannot do as I did before the accident. Trying to do them the same way was impossible, and I was getting frustrated. Then one day I said to myself that I had to relearn those things and do them in a different way and see what was possible, and how it could be achieved.
Quote examples
Gary Sinise
American Actor
Have I done more business-related things to help my career grow? Yeah. I took the business end more seriously, hooked up with a manager, got some help, because at a certain point, you get frustrated when you go do auditions, and people say you did a great job, and then you don't get he part.
Quote examples
Ian Rankin
Scottish Writer
I am, of course, a frustrated rock star - I'd much rather be a rock star than a writer. Or own a record shop. Still, it's not a bad life, is it? You just sit at a computer and make stuff up.
Quote examples
Johnny Depp
American Actor
I was angry and frustrated until I started my own family and my first child was born. Until then I didn't really appreciate life the way I should have, but fortunately I woke up.
Quote examples
Graeme Souness
Scottish Athlete
I get frustrated with certain aspects of the game. But there's things that delight me, it's just the uncertainty of it all.
Quote examples
George H. W. Bush
American President
Well, I think everybody is frustrated by the finances of the U.N. and the inability to solve problems of war and peace.
Quote examples
Harry Dean Stanton
American Actor
It's just so frustrating when you're in a supporting role because you only get to express a part of yourself.
Quote examples
Beyonce Knowles
American Musician
I mean, I feel like you get more bees with honey. But that doesn't mean I don't get frustrated in my life.
Quote examples
Iman
Somali Model
If I feel frustrated in a situation, I take a deep breath and walk away.
Quote examples
Garry Shandling
American Comedian
My second or third year in the engineering department, I got very frustrated, and I sat down with myself and had a soul-searching conversation with myself and said, 'What I'd really like to do is see if I can write comedy.' ... I moved to L.A. stone cold. Didn't know anybody; didn't know how to go about it. Really started from scratch.
Quote examples
Robert Kubica
Polish Driver
There are some things I cannot do as I did before the accident. Trying to do them the same way was impossible, and I was getting frustrated. Then one day I said to myself that I had to relearn those things and do them in a different way and see what was possible, and how it could be achieved.
Quote examples
Gary Sinise
American Actor
Have I done more business-related things to help my career grow? Yeah. I took the business end more seriously, hooked up with a manager, got some help, because at a certain point, you get frustrated when you go do auditions, and people say you did a great job, and then you don't get he part.
Quote examples
Ian Rankin
Scottish Writer
I am, of course, a frustrated rock star - I'd much rather be a rock star than a writer. Or own a record shop. Still, it's not a bad life, is it? You just sit at a computer and make stuff up.
Quote examples
Johnny Depp
American Actor
I was angry and frustrated until I started my own family and my first child was born. Until then I didn't really appreciate life the way I should have, but fortunately I woke up.
Quote examples
Graeme Souness
Scottish Athlete
I get frustrated with certain aspects of the game. But there's things that delight me, it's just the uncertainty of it all.
Quote examples
George H. W. Bush
American President
Well, I think everybody is frustrated by the finances of the U.N. and the inability to solve problems of war and peace.
Quote examples
Harry Dean Stanton
American Actor
It's just so frustrating when you're in a supporting role because you only get to express a part of yourself.
Quote examples
Beyonce Knowles
American Musician
I mean, I feel like you get more bees with honey. But that doesn't mean I don't get frustrated in my life.
Quote examples
Iman
Somali Model
If I feel frustrated in a situation, I take a deep breath and walk away.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension