adjective B1 Intermediate Common

frustrated

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Frustrated (adjective) means Annoyed and discouraged because you cannot do or get what you want. Example: “She was getting frustrated with the printer.”

adjective

Annoyed and discouraged because you cannot do or get what you want.

"She was getting frustrated with the printer."

"He gave a frustrated sigh and started the whole form again."

"Fans grew frustrated as the delays stretched into a second hour."

Prevented from succeeding; blocked or thwarted.

"A frustrated attempt to reach the summit before nightfall."

"Their plans were frustrated by the weather."

"The rescuers' frustrated efforts were blocked by deep snow on the road."

Unable to follow the career or life you wanted; used before a noun to describe what somebody wishes they were.

"He is a frustrated novelist who ended up in advertising."

"Every accountant in that office is a frustrated musician."

"My uncle, a frustrated actor, still recites speeches at family dinners."

How to use frustrated

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAnnoyed because something is stopping you from doing what you want.

When to use it

Neutral — equally at home in everyday speech and in writing.

Memory tip

People are frustrated; things are frustrating. If you say "I am frustrating," you have said you are the problem.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

frustrating → frustration → flustered →

Common pairings

frustrated with frustrated by increasingly frustrated a frustrated sigh get frustrated

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

She was getting _____ with the printer.

Etymology

The past participle of "frustrate," which came into English in the fifteenth century from Latin "frustrat-," the past-participial stem of "frustrari" (to disappoint or deceive), itself from "frustra," meaning "in vain."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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annoyed exasperated irritated discouraged fed up disappointed discomfited foiled defeated thwarted blocked unfulfilled

Antonyms

satisfied content pleased successful

Related words

please happy subject message text content successful glad

Rhymes for frustrated

dated sated hated elated heated seated treated related bloated belated prorated agitated

See all rhymes for frustrated →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between frustrated and frustrating?

You are frustrated; the thing is frustrating. "Frustrated" describes how a person feels, and "frustrating" describes what causes the feeling — so "I was frustrated by the frustrating instructions." Saying "I am frustrating" means you are the one annoying everybody else.

Is it frustrated with, frustrated by, or frustrated at?

All three are correct, with a slight difference in feel. "Frustrated with" is usual for people and ongoing situations ("frustrated with my boss"). "Frustrated by" points at the specific cause ("frustrated by the delay"). "Frustrated at" is less common and usually attaches to a situation rather than a person.

What does it mean to call someone a frustrated actor?

It means they wanted to be an actor and never became one. Used before a noun, "frustrated" describes an ambition that was never fulfilled, so a "frustrated actor" is not an actor who is annoyed — it is somebody in another job entirely who wishes they had made it on the stage.

Is frustrated a feeling or an emotion?

Frustration is generally treated as an emotional state rather than a basic emotion. It arises specifically when something blocks a goal, which is what separates it from plain anger or sadness — there is always an obstacle involved.

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please happy subject message text content successful glad