frustration
Pluralfrustrations (some meanings)
- 1The annoyed feeling you get when something stops you from doing what you want.
Like pushing on a door that will not open, no matter how hard you try.
She sighed in frustration when the printer jammed again.
After two hours stuck in traffic, his frustration kept growing.
Similarannoyance, exasperation, irritation, dissatisfaction
Oppositesatisfaction, contentment
Note
- 2The blocking of someone's plans or efforts, or the state of having your plans blocked.
Losing his passport meant the frustration of all his plans to travel that summer.
Heavy rain led to the frustration of the rescue effort.
Similarthwarting, defeat, obstruction, failure
Oppositesuccess, fulfillment
Note
- 3Anger that is not aimed at any one person or thing.
Like a storm inside you that has nowhere to go.
He punched the pillow out of pure frustration, not even sure what he was angry about.
She paced the kitchen, full of frustration with no clear target.
Similaranger, rage, exasperation
Note
- 4Something that blocks your plans or makes you feel annoyed.
The slow internet was a constant frustration for the whole family.
Small daily frustrations like lost keys can wear you down.
Similarannoyance, nuisance, headache, irritation, hassle
- 5A legal rule that lets someone out of a deal when unexpected events change it completely.
Like a game that is canceled because the field is flooded, so no one has to finish playing.
The court agreed that the fire caused frustration of the contract, so the singer did not have to pay.
After the new law banned exports, the company claimed frustration and ended the agreement.
Note
Practice
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Origin
From Latin frūstrātiō, meaning "disappointment," linked to frūstrā, meaning "in vain."