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Showing results for frustrate. Search instead for frustrat.
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.

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

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Bishop Alemany baseball coach Randy Thompson has been known to frustrate Harvard-Westlake, and his son, Brody, had big game on Friday.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

“This isn’t what we expected in any way, and it seems to frustrate our expectations. I can’t see most people supporting this,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

I addressed the court and Justice Rumpff, trying to frustrate us, interrupted me.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.