frustrate

The definition of frustrate is to hinder someone's plans or efforts, or to make someone feel annoyed because you are hindering their efforts or refusing to cooperate.

(verb)

  1. When all the necessary tools are not available to complete a specific project, this is an example of a way to frustrate a job.
  2. When you keep trying to talk to your friend and he keeps interrupting you which annoys you, this is an example of a time when your friend frustrates you.

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See frustrate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb frustrated, frustrating

  1. to cause to have no effect; bring to nothing; counteract; nullify: to frustrate plans
  2. to prevent from achieving an objective; foil; baffle; defeat: to frustrate an opponent
  3. Psychol. to prevent from gratifying certain impulses or desires, either conscious or unconscious

Origin: ME frustraten < L frustratus, pp. of frustrare, frustrari, to disappoint, deceive < frustra, in vain: for IE base see fraud

intransitive verb

to become frustrated

adjective

Now Rare frustrated; baffled; defeated

See frustrate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates
  1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: A persistent wind frustrated my attempt to rake the lawn.
    b. To cause feelings of discouragement or bafflement in.
  2. To make ineffectual or invalid; nullify.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English frustraten

Origin: , from Latin frūstrārī, frūstrāt-

Origin: , from frūstrā, in vain

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Related Forms:

  • frusˈtratˌer noun
  • frusˈtratˌing·ly adverb

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