frustrate

[frʌˈstreɪt]

frustrate Definition

• 1. to make someone feel annoyed or less confident because they cannot achieve what they want
• 2. to prevent the plans or efforts of someone from being successful

Using frustrate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "frustrate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The complicated instructions frustrated me.

• Example

  His lack of progress in the job was frustrating him.

• Example

  The team's effort to win the game was frustrated by the bad weather.

frustrate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for frustrate

• disappoint
• discourage
• thwart
• hinder
• impede

Antonyms for frustrate

• encourage
• support
• facilitate

Idioms Using frustrate

• bang one's head against a brick wall

  to try repeatedly to do something without success

  Example

  I've been banging my head against a brick wall trying to get this project done on time.

• throw in the towel

  to give up on something because it is too difficult or seems impossible to achieve

  Example

  After months of trying to fix the old car, he finally threw in the towel and bought a new one.

• hit a snag

  to encounter an unexpected problem or obstacle that slows down or stops progress

  Example

  We hit a snag in the project when we realized we didn't have enough funding to complete it.

Phrases with frustrate

• frustrated ambition

  a feeling of disappointment or dissatisfaction due to unfulfilled aspirations

  Example

  Her frustrated ambition to become a doctor led her to pursue other career paths.

• frustrated expectations

  a feeling of disappointment or dissatisfaction due to unmet hopes or anticipations

  Example

  The company's failure to deliver on its promises resulted in frustrated expectations among its customers.

• frustrated love

  a feeling of disappointment or dissatisfaction due to unrequited or unfulfilled romantic feelings

  Example

  His frustrated love for her made it difficult for him to move on.

Origins of frustrate

from Latin 'frustra', meaning 'in vain'

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Summary: frustrate in Brief

The verb 'frustrate' [frʌˈstreɪt] means to make someone feel annoyed or less confident because they cannot achieve what they want, or to prevent the plans or efforts of someone from being successful. It can be used to describe a range of situations, such as complicated instructions or bad weather frustrating someone's efforts. Phrases like 'frustrated ambition' and 'frustrated love' describe specific types of disappointment, while idioms like 'bang one's head against a brick wall' and 'throw in the towel' express the difficulty of overcoming obstacles.