Words / B1

fru-STRAYT-ing/frʌˈstreɪtɪŋ/

Frustrating means making you feel stuck or annoyed: a frustrating delay; it is frustrating to + verb. Frustration is the noun (next entry). Annoying is wider and weaker. Do not call a tragedy merely frustrating. UK commuter English: a frustrating wait for a rail-replacement bus.

Meaning

Making you feel annoyed because you cannot do or change something.

Examples

• “It is frustrating to miss a distinction by two marks.”
• “A frustrating error message blocked the upload at 23:59.”

Good to know

a frustrating + noun; it is frustrating to. Noun: frustration. Weaker: annoying. Not strong enough for a disaster. Commuter collocation: frustrating delays.

Near in meaning

annoying

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