frustration

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'frustration' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a feeling of dissatisfaction, confusion, and annoyance caused by an inability to do something. For example: After trying to solve the difficult math problem for what felt like hours, Jack finally had to give up in frustration.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Any song that expresses an author's frustration at 'being sick of blurred lines' is beyond unacceptable".

The Guardian - Music

Among them is Holly Dolan, a "school healthcare educator," who came down from Pennsylvania because of her "frustration at the lack of understanding of the reforms".

The Guardian

He has told ABC radio he made the remarks "in the heat of anger and frustration".

The Guardian

It is not just the futility of eight years of fighting in Iraq, frustration in Afghanistan, the loss of thousands of soldiers' lives and the maiming of tens of thousands more that are causing so much doubt over a US attack on Syria now.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Psychiatric care is becoming a consumer good in a society in which there is a low tolerance for frustration and adversity," said one Spain-based doctor whose identity has been verified but who wanted to remain anonymous.

The Guardian

"Even if there's just one suspected case among them, this is dangerous," he said, the frustration clear in his voice above the booming bass.

The Guardian

Unlike in other European capitals, where one can perceive a degree of animosity and frustration with Cameron's tricks and tactics, Spain has no special interest in making things hard for the British prime minister.

The Guardian

Related: Elizabeth Warren on the presidency: Fifty shades of nay Warren, a senator for Massachusetts, is refusing to enter the race, to the frustration of liberal Democrats who have been imploring her to run.

The Guardian

"The frustration I had is that in the last 20 minutes I felt Bayern were very vulnerable defensively but we didn't take advantage.

The Guardian - Sport

More likely, it reveals a depth of frustration about what was being achieved, and the extent to which her own reputation, not to mention her view of herself, risked being degraded by remaining inside the tent to negligible effect.

The Guardian

My strongest memory is of one early-evening phonecall: for at least three minutes, the voice at the other end insisted I was connected to the "Man of Mystery", and tied me in knots, before I swore in frustration, and Thorgerson wearily played it straight, wondering when the deadline was, and how the book was going.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frustration" to describe a feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something.

Common error

While "frustration" can lead to anger, it's important to distinguish them. "Frustration" stems from unmet goals or blocked progress, while anger is a more general emotional response. Use "frustration" when the inability to achieve something is the primary emotion.

Linguistic Context

The word "frustration" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a state of being frustrated, the act of frustrating, or a thing that frustrates. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it denotes the feeling of annoyance when actions are hindered. Examples show its use in expressing personal feelings or describing a general atmosphere.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "frustration" is a very common noun used to describe a state of annoyance and dissatisfaction arising from an inability to achieve a goal or overcome an obstacle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys this feeling. It is often found in news and media, sports reporting, and opinion pieces. While grammatically straightforward, it's important not to confuse it with general anger but instead to highlight the unmet goal or blocked process at the heart of the emotion. For similar emotions, one could consider "exasperation", "irritation", or "annoyance", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exasperation

Implies a higher degree of impatience and annoyance than "frustration".

irritation

Suggests a milder form of annoyance compared to "frustration".

annoyance

A general feeling of displeasure, less intense than "frustration".

disappointment

Focuses on unmet expectations, which can be a cause of "frustration".

displeasure

A more formal and subdued expression of dissatisfaction compared to "frustration".

resentment

Implies a feeling of injustice or bitterness, often associated with long-term "frustration".

discontent

Suggests a general lack of satisfaction, broader than a specific instance of "frustration".

impatience

Highlights the lack of tolerance for delays or obstacles that cause "frustration".

agitation

Describes a state of restlessness and anxiety that can arise from "frustration".

vexation

A state of being annoyed, worried, or upset which could lead to "frustration".

FAQs

How to use "frustration" in a sentence?

You can use "frustration" to describe a feeling of dissatisfaction and annoyance. For example, "His voice was filled with "frustration" when he talked about the delays".

What can I say instead of "frustration"?

You can use alternatives like "exasperation", "irritation", or "annoyance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "frustration" or "a frustration"?

"Frustration" is an uncountable noun, referring to the general feeling. "A frustration" refers to a specific instance or cause of that feeling.

What's the difference between "frustration" and "disappointment"?

"Frustration" arises from being blocked from achieving a goal, while "disappointment" stems from unmet expectations, not necessarily from being blocked.