Synonyms of frustrating
: causing feelings of anger and annoyance : tending to produce or characterized by frustration
a frustrating delay
a very frustrating experience
Mischel concludes that having the willpower to wait isn't about being stoic. It's about learning techniques that make waiting less frustrating.—Pamela Druckerman
frustratingly adverb
a frustratingly slow process
The book is sprawling and self-indulgent. Most frustratingly, it is almost entirely devoid of serious military analysis. —Hew Strachan

frustrating

2 of 2

present participle of frustrate entry 1

Examples of frustrating in a Sentence

Adjective All these delays have been very frustrating. these daily traffic jams are frustrating
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The juror said deliberations were extremely frustrating because some didn't want to listen to the evidence. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Hwang knows how frustrating allergies and allergic reactions can be, especially for people who have spent years managing symptoms without answers. — Lauren Finney Harden, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Another questionable call, another loss Making the ending even more frustrating for Rams fans was the player involved. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 After a frustrating day with little offense, the Rams had finally pieced together a productive drive to tie the game at 15 in the fourth quarter’s final minute. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frustrating

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frustrating was in 1837

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frustrating. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

frustrating

adjective
: producing frustration
a frustrating delay
frustratingly adverb
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