frustrate

[ fruhs-treyt ]

verb (used with object)

, frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing.

1. to make (plans, efforts, etc.) worthless or of no avail; defeat; nullify:

   The student's indifference frustrated the teacher's efforts to help him.

   Synonyms: circumvent, foil, balk

2. to disappoint or thwart (a person):

   a talented woman whom life had frustrated.

verb (used without object)

, frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing.

1. to become frustrated:

   His trouble is that he frustrates much too easily.

adjective

1. Obsolete. frustrated.

frustrate

/ frʌˈstreɪt /

verb

1. to hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; thwart
2. to upset, agitate, or tire

   her constant complaints began to frustrate him

adjective

1. archaic.
   frustrated or thwarted; baffled

Derived Forms

• frusˈtrater, noun

Other Words From

• frustrat·er noun
• frustrat·ing·ly adverb
• frus·tra·tive [fruhs, -trey-tiv, -tr, uh, -], adjective
• re·frustrate verb (used with object) refrustrated refrustrating

Word History and Origins

Origin of frustrate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin frustrātus, past participle of frustrārī, verbal derivative of frustrā “in vain”

Word History and Origins

Origin of frustrate¹

C15: from Latin frustrāre to cheat, from frustrā in error

Synonym Study

See thwart.

Example Sentences

Fernandes might frustrate sometimes with his indiscipline in terms of maintaining a position, but if Amorim did not pick him, where would United’s goals and chances come from?

From BBC

Convener and Scottish Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw said there was "no conspiracy to frustrate" the road but there been a lack of scrutiny and focus.

From BBC

He told BBC Scotland News: "There was no smoking gun - the delay isn't down to some insidious conspiracy to frustrate the road, but there was a complete lack of transparency and clarity about the funding of this road."

From BBC

In a statement, the group said the attack, which also saw 22 people injured, was "planned a long time ago" - apparently rebuffing claims that the attack was an attempt to frustrate rumoured reconciliation efforts between the PKK and Turkish government.

From BBC

The Harris campaign’s foregrounding of a conservative surrogate, whose surname Democrats long have equated with villainy, may frustrate some on the left.

From Slate

Related Words

• baffle
• confront
• depress
• discourage
• dishearten
• hinder