frustrate

[fruhs-treyt] / ˈfrʌs treɪt /

VERB

thwart, disappoint

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffle confront depress discourage dishearten hinder

STRONG

annul arrest balk bar beat block cancel check circumvent conquer counter counteract cramp crimp dash defeat foil forbid forestall halt impede inhibit lick negate neutralize nullify obstruct obviate outwit overcome preclude prevent prohibit ruin stump stymie

WEAK

cramp one's style dash one's hope foul up give the runaround hang up hold up render null and void upset the apple cart

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist encourage hearten help inspirit

STRONG

abet allow approve forward give up let go lose open permit push release retreat support surrender validate yield

WEAK

cooperate facilitate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sauer couldn’t give a straight answer, which seemed to frustrate the justice.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

This matters because much of the inflation and stagnation that frustrate households today isn’t about demand.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Even if a 3-2 scoreline would frustrate, it may save jobs when the review does come after this series with a win even more important for the coaching staff than the players.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

This is where the internet can frustrate me because something starts as a rumor and then goes around, then it’s fact.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2025

She ordered me back with more exact instructions, which I followed exactly, while still managing to frustrate her true wishes.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

Vocabulary lists containing frustrate

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