FRUSTRATE Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'frustrate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frustrate are baffle , balk , foil , and thwart . While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. // frustrated attempts at government reform

Q: When is 'baffle' a more appropriate choice than 'frustrate'?

The words baffle and frustrate can be used in similar contexts, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. // baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

Q: When could 'balk' be used to replace 'frustrate'?

In some situations, the words balk and frustrate are roughly equivalent. However, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. // officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Q: When might 'foil' be a better fit than 'frustrate'?

The words foil and frustrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. // foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Q: In what contexts can 'thwart' take the place of 'frustrate'?

The meanings of thwart and frustrate largely overlap; however, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. // the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

frustrate

verb

ˈfrə-ˌstrāt

Definition of frustrate

as in to thwart

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to discourage

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb frustrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of frustrate are baffle, balk, foil, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When is baffle a more appropriate choice than frustrate?

The words baffle and frustrate can be used in similar contexts, but baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When could balk be used to replace frustrate?

In some situations, the words balk and frustrate are roughly equivalent. However, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

When might foil be a better fit than frustrate?

The words foil and frustrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

In what contexts can thwart take the place of frustrate?

The meanings of thwart and frustrate largely overlap; however, thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of frustrate Criminals who understand digital assets already have options designed to frustrate tracing. — Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs. — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Ukraine’s frequent attacks inside Russia — described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a 40-day blitz — have especially targeted oil refineries, causing a fuel crisis that has frustrated Russians already feeling the war’s economic toll. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frustrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrate

Verb

The group’s open letter calls on Bonta to take action to thwart the Ellison expansion effort.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Nicolas Pepe had a shot from roughly 10 yards out that was thwarted by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland with his leg.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026

Definition of thwart

Verb

Many gardeners buy praying mantis egg cases (oothecae) from garden nurseries, but this practice is discouraged for two reasons.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Applying a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch, such as straw or leaf mulch, will discourage weeds in garden beds, says Langelo.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Chwalińska took a medical timeout for the injury at the end of the game, and she was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

His focus on the voting bill, instead of signing one that tackles a top issue for voters, has left some GOP strategists baffled.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Keith played conservative social climber Margo Leadbetter, who is baffled by her neighbor Tom's sustainability-centric lifestyle with wife Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal).

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of baffle

Verb

He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
The Great American State Fair kicked off last week, though the 16-day event has been hindered by weather shutdowns, technical difficulties and low attendance.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

Health care workers who impede these rituals for infection-control reasons often face hostility and violence; clinics have been attacked and burned down during this outbreak, furthering viral spread.

— Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.

— Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of impede

Verb

Cloud cover prevented a California Highway Patrol helicopter from reaching the injured climber directly, forcing the rescue to unfold in stages.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Increasing staff at medical facilities during heat waves could also prevent unnecessary deaths.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
The short version is that after defeating the Kilrathi at the climax of Wing Commander 3, Mark Hamill’s Christopher Blair retires to a backwater world to live out a life in peace and obscurity.

— Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026

Definition of defeat

Browse Nearby Words

frumpy

frustrate

frustrated

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“Frustrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustrate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of frustrate

verb

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