Frustrate Meaning
/fɹʌˈstɹeɪt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo disappoint or defeat; to vex by depriving of something expected or desired.
verbTo hinder or thwart.
Sentence Examples
Tom secretly attempted to frustrate Mary's plans.
I bet the delay will frustrate her.
I don't doubt that the delay will frustrate her.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The slow internet connection will ____ anyone trying to work.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The repeated delays began to ____ the commuters who were trying to get to work on time.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English frustraten (“to prevent, disappoint, render useless”), from Latin frūstrātus, perfect passive participle of frūstrō (“to deceive”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French frustrer.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Perhaps it was the too-tooing of the youth on the coach horn which frustrated the proposal, and made it appear ludicrous rather than insultive to her ears."
— 1895, Frank Frankfort Moore, chapter VI, in One Fair Daughter, volume 1, pages 234–235:
"With its far larger population, China’s economy will inevitably come to eclipse ours, but that is hardly a mortal threat. In climate change, the world faces a huge collective-action problem that will require global cooperation. According to this view, treating China like an adversary will only frustrate our own long-term goals."
— 2019 October 9, Farhad Manjoo, “Dealing With China Isn’t Worth the Moral Cost”, in New York Times:
"Our frustrate search."
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
"In all eternity I had one chance
One few years' term of gracious human life
[…]
And this sole chance was frustrate from my birth
A mockery, a delusion; […]"
— 1874, James Thomson, The City of Dreadful Night, volume XVI:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The slow internet connection will ____ anyone trying to work.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The repeated delays began to ____ the commuters who were trying to get to work on time.