Frustrating: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：causing frustration (frustrating)

frustrating 🔊

/ˈfrʌstreɪtɪŋ/

adj.

Something that makes you feel annoyed and impatient because you can't get what you want or something doesn't work.

Illustration of a frustrated person at a desk with computer error and spilled coffee

causing frustration 🔊

➕

/ˈkɔːzɪŋ frʌˈstreɪʃən/

adj.

Describing something that induces feelings of annoyance and impatience due to obstacles or failures.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'frustrari' meaning 'to deceive' or 'to disappoint'.

💡 Mnemonic

FRUSTRating makes you want to FRUStrate and RATE with anger.

📖 Example

It's really frustrating when you wait in a long queue, only to find out you're at the wrong counter. 🔊 The experience of waiting in a long line only to discover it's incorrect is highly annoying.

🔗 Collocations

frustrating experience – an experience that causes annoyance and disappointment

extremely frustrating – very annoying and thwarting

find it frustrating – to perceive something as inducing frustration

🔄 Synonyms

annoying (adj.) – causing mild anger or irritation

irritating (adj.) – provoking impatience or anger

exasperating (adj.) – causing intense irritation or frustration

🚫 Antonyms

satisfying (adj.) – fulfilling or giving pleasure

gratifying (adj.) – providing satisfaction or delight

🌱 Derivatives

frustrate (v.) – to prevent from achieving a goal or to cause frustration

frustration (n.) – the feeling of being upset or annoyed due to obstacles

frustrated (adj.) – feeling or expressing frustration

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'frustrate' derives from Latin 'frustrari' (to deceive) and 'frustra' (in vain). It entered English in the 15th century, evolving to describe the feeling of being thwarted or disappointed.