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

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

In foreign policy, Podhoretz counseled that an unapologetic defense of American interests abroad is likeliest to frustrate the aggressions of bad actors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

"You know what I'm talking about. The ways I frustrate you. The way you look to your father for reassurance when you can't stand my questions."

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

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