Frustration: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：feeling of annoyance (frustration)

frustration 🔊

/frʌˈstreɪʃn/

The feeling of being annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want.

Frustration illustrated by a person struggling with a complex problem at a desk

feeling of annoyance 🔊

➕

/ˈfiːlɪŋ əv əˈnɔɪəns/

The emotional state of being annoyed and impatient due to inability to achieve one's goals or desires.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'frustratio' meaning disappointment, from 'frustra' (in vain).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'frustration' as 'frust-rate-ion': when frustrated, you feel your efforts are poorly rated.

📖 Example

Learning a new software without any guidance filled him with frustration, as every step seemed to lead to another error message. 🔊 He experienced intense annoyance while trying to learn new software alone, with constant errors appearing.

🔗 Collocations

feel frustration – to experience the emotion of frustration

express frustration – to show or communicate one's frustration

cause frustration – to lead to feelings of frustration

🔄 Synonyms

annoyance (n.) – a feeling of slight anger or irritation

irritation (n.) – the state of being annoyed or impatient

exasperation (n.) – a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance

🚫 Antonyms

satisfaction (n.) – a feeling of contentment or fulfillment

contentment (n.) – a state of happiness and satisfaction

🌱 Derivatives

frustrate (v.) – to cause someone to feel frustrated

frustrating (adj.) – causing feelings of frustration

frustrated (adj.) – feeling or expressing frustration

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'frustration' originates from Latin 'frustratio' (disappointment). It entered English in the mid-16th century, commonly used to describe feelings when efforts are blocked or ineffective.