English Reference
adjective

frustrated

adj.
US /ˈfɹəsˌtɹeɪtəd/ UK /fɹʌstɹˈeɪtɪd/ frus·trat·ed

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    feeling annoyed or less confident because you cannot achieve what you want.

    feeling or expressing distress and annoyance, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.

    Simple

    He felt frustrated when the computer crashed for the third time today.

    In context

    The researchers grew increasingly frustrated as each subsequent trial failed to yield the results predicted by their initial hypothesis.

    Pitfall
    The slow internet is very frustrated. The slow internet is very frustrating.

    Use '-ed' for how a person feels and '-ing' for the thing that causes the feeling.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    describing a plan or effort that was blocked or stopped from happening.

    prevented from progressing, succeeding, or being fulfilled; often used of ambitions or attempts.

    Simple

    The artist's frustrated dreams of fame eventually led him to teach instead.

    In context

    The coup was frustrated by a sudden lack of support from the military high command, leaving the conspirators isolated.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced TechnicalDialect Law

    used in law to describe a crime where the person did everything to commit it, but it did not actually happen.

    pertaining to a stage of a crime where the perpetrator performs all acts of execution but the crime is not consummated due to causes independent of their will.

    Simple

    He was charged with frustrated murder because the victim survived the attack.

    In context

    The court downgraded the charge from consummated to frustrated homicide, noting that the timely medical intervention prevented the fatal outcome intended by the assailant.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the legal system of the Philippines to distinguish between 'attempted' and 'consummated' crimes.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a highly specific legal term in Philippine law; in general English, 'attempted' is the standard term for this concept.

    attemptedunconsummated

But some women said they supported the change - or admitted they had grown frustrated with initiating conversations only to receive no reply.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

Frustrated by skyrocketing youth unemployment, among other issues, tens of thousands of Gen Z activists took to the streets of Nepal last year, demanding a stake in the country’s economic growth.

UN News· 11 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated