as in annoying
causing annoyance
these daily traffic jams are frustrating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in baffling
to prevent from achieving a goal
a multitude of conflicting opinions frustrated me in my attempt to find a computer that best suits my needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
challenge the math student, but don't frustrate him or her with overly difficult problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frustrating
FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Bud Drop Watching a Christmas cactus covered in flower buds suddenly jettison them onto the floor can be frustrating.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frustrating
Adjective
Angry cruise passengers say frustrating issue should have been disclosed before booking.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Bud Drop Watching a Christmas cactus covered in flower buds suddenly jettison them onto the floor can be frustrating.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frustrating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrating
Adjective
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Your husband’s petty desire to be right about everything is understandably annoying and somewhat typical behavior.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Dealing with frost on your car may be a nuisance in the winter, but seeds, leaves, and flower petals can be equally as annoying in spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the castle’s internal order collapses under the weight of a string of baffling crimes, Araki strikes a fragile alliance with Kuroda Kanbei – a razor-minded captive languishing in his own dungeon – in a race to root out a traitor before Oda’s army closes in.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
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This inversion explains a host of baffling political and cultural phenomena of late.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Charter closes by discouraging the creation of new categories of IP law or extending patent and copyright terms.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Analysts said investors were focusing on potentially discouraging numbers underneath the surface, including decelerating growth in trends for its software business.—
Stan Choe,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Derms say mineral blocks tend to be less irritating for sensitive skin.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the truck drove through the airport's version of a stop light and the vehicle lacked a transponder, hampering a crash warning system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
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The cuts to the DOJ program are hampering the work of the Resurrection Project and other groups.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In long form, the writers can pack enough globe-spanning spy games, adrenaline-spiking set pieces, and terrorist-thwarting action to keep even James Bond – or Jack Bauer, or Jason Bourne – busy.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
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Mostly, Julian and Lori take turns thwarting his obnoxious kids and threatening to quit.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustrating. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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