frustrated

adjective

frus·​trat·​ed ˈfrə-ˌstrā-təd How to pronounce frustrated (audio)
: feeling, showing, or characterized by frustration: such as
a
: feeling discouragement, anger, and annoyance because of unresolved problems or unfulfilled goals, desires, or needs
In fact Harry thought his behavior had been very good considering how frustrated and angry he felt at being stuck in Privet Drive this long …J. K. Rowling
b
: having an ambition that has not been realized
a frustrated actor [=a person who wants to be an actor but has not succeeded in becoming one]
Over the past decade, however, advances in digital printing technologies have brought the costs of publication down and paved the way for thousands of frustrated writers to get their work into print.Robert K. J. Killheffer

Examples of frustrated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Keegan was visibly frustrated after a low snap on a third-down situation killed the play. Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025 The user is growing frustrated after years of conscious effort to save, only to feel overlooked. Ashley Vega, People.com, 31 July 2025 The Republic Services sanitation workers strike hit July 1, trash has been piling up, communities are frustrated, and all nine of the state’s representatives in Congress have made their voices heard: end this now. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 30 July 2025 And in that Bush museum episode, Hank gets frustrated that there are so many people now willing to listen to Dale. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for frustrated

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frustrated was circa 1643

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Cite this Entry

“Frustrated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frustrated. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Medical Definition

frustrated

adjective
frus·​trat·​ed
: filled with a sense of frustration : feeling deep insecurity, discouragement, or dissatisfaction
learned not to resort to aggressiveness when frustratedAshley Montagu

More from Merriam-Webster on frustrated

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