frustration

American  

[fruh-strey-shuhn] / frʌˈstreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. act of frustrating; state of being frustrated: frustrated.

   the frustration of the president's efforts.

2. an instance of being frustrated: frustrated.

   to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.

3. something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.

4. a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

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frustration British  

/ frʌˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. the condition of being frustrated

2. something that frustrates

3. psychol

   1. the prevention or hindering of a potentially satisfying activity

   2. the emotional reaction to such prevention that may involve aggression

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Other Word Forms

• nonfrustration noun
• overfrustration noun

Etymology

Origin of frustration

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English frustracioun, from Latin frustrātiōn-, stem of frustrātiō “deception, disappointment”; equivalent to frustrate + -ion

Example Sentences

"I do understand the fans' frustration," Hart added.

From BBC

However, such production hadn’t yet been agreed on by either Lockheed or the Pentagon, causing frustration among some executives at the U.S. company, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

The daily frustrations of work and the absurdities of cubicle culture have inspired many a movie.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet lately I’ve felt overwhelmed—exhausted by sustained fear, grief, chaos and, yes, frustration.

From The Wall Street Journal

The futility and frustration of dieting has in recent years ignited a resistance movement of sorts, encouraging women, especially, to reject social pressures to maintain a slender form.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• annoyance
• dissatisfaction
• failure
• grievance
• irritation
• resentment