Definitions

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.

Appeared in the April 25, 2026, print edition as 'Iran Divisions Frustrate Peace Efforts'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

"I've noticed the uptick. Does it anger us? Frustrate us? Of course."

From Reuters • Apr. 28, 2022

The title of Morici’s editorial is a winner btw… “Dumb Policies Frustrate the Benefits of Falling Oil Prices”.

From Forbes • Dec. 9, 2014

“Operation Frustrate the Historians,” Hugo Black’s children called it, as the sky filled with ashes the day they made their bonfire.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 24, 2014

Frustrate him, and he would leave himself open, as certain as sunset.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Vocabulary lists containing frustrate

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