frustrate

Formsfrustrates, frustrating, frustrated

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To make someone feel upset or annoyed.

   Like a small stone in your shoe that keeps bothering you all day.

   Loud noises frustrate me when I am trying to sleep.

   The slow internet frustrated everyone in the office.

   Similarannoy, irritate, bother, aggravate, exasperate

   Oppositeplease, calm

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To stop something from happening or succeeding.

   Like a wall that blocks your path so you cannot get through.

   Heavy rain frustrated their plans for a picnic.

   A locked gate can frustrate even a determined thief.

   Similarhinder, obstruct, impede, hamper, block

   Oppositefacilitate, help, aid, further

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To upset someone by taking away something they hoped for or expected.

   Like waiting all day for a gift that never arrives.

   The referee's decision frustrated the home fans.

   Losing the contract will frustrate our investors.

   Similardisappoint, thwart, foil

   Oppositesatisfy, gratify

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Not able to work or succeed, and without any useful result.

   Our frustrate search.

   c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”Here, frustrate means useless, so the search found nothing.

   Similarfutile, vain, useless, ineffectual

   Oppositeeffective, fruitful, successful

   Note

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