FRUSTRATING Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

frustrating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrə-ˌstrā-tiŋ

Definition of frustrating

as in annoying

causing annoyance these daily traffic jams are frustrating

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frustrating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of frustrate

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

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

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 frustrating

Adjective

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

Verb

But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw. — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026 The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for frustrating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for frustrating

Adjective

Imagine a congressional coalition formed by kicking out the lawmakers, on either side, who are annoying—the Ted Cruzes and the John Fettermans.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoying

Verb

Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffling

Verb

But flying less can raise operating costs per seat, while pushing prices higher risks discouraging travelers who have already absorbed steep increases.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
At the risk of discouraging readers, this chapter’s protagonists will include cholecalciferol, ammonia, neonicotinoids, polyethylene, 17α-methyltestosterone, and diclofenac.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of discouraging

Adjective

But for this initial step, Pierre tells mature patients to find a formula that’s gentle, non-irritating, and—if needed—able to remove makeup.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
The cold temperature will slow down the enzymes and ease the irritating effects.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritating

Verb

The officials said the restrictions were disrupting high-speed military drones, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks and conduct operations along the front line.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Kyiv sees this as an attempt to pressure it into concessions by hampering its aerial defense and military operations.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampering

Adjective

One of the most disturbing reasons given was that the DOT will never install a speed reducer closer than a distance of 1,000 feet (nearly a quarter of a mile) from a speed camera.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
Family members reported objects disappearing, beds lifting, unexplained odors, and other disturbing occurrences in the house.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

The purpose of antitrust was to prevent companies from getting too large by taking over companies and swallowing them up and thwarting competition.

— John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
South Africa hopes were pinned on Markram, who has a history of thwarting the Australians in the fourth innings.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of thwarting

Browse Nearby Words

frustrates

frustrating

frustration

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Frustrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frustrating. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of frustrating

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes