French word

frustrer

Pronunciation

IPA/fʁystʁe/

Meaning

  • verbfrustrate

Example

Cet échec le frustre.

This failure frustrates him.

Illustration for frustrer (frustrate)

More examples

Les critiques constantes le frustrent dans ses efforts.

The constant criticism frustrates him in his efforts.

Core concept

A stopped attempt whose desired outcome remains just beyond reach.

Common phrases

  • frustrer dans ses efforts

    frustrate ___ in their efforts

  • frustrer quelqu'un

    frustrate someone

Similar words

contrarier: Disrupt a plan or course of action so that it cannot proceed successfully.
empêcher: Directly stop an event or action from happening.
bloquer: Stop a flow or process so that it cannot move forward.
faire échouer: Cause an effort or plan to fail and prevent success.

Definition in French

Causer à quelqu'un une frustration en l'empêchant d'atteindre un but ou de satisfaire un désir.

Word origin

The verb is inherited through French from Latin frustrari and preserves its basic idea of making an effort fruitless.

Usage tips

  • Frustrer quelqu'un de quelque chose means depriving someone of it, while frustrer quelqu'un dans ses projets means thwarting the person's plans.

Other meanings

  • thwartverb

Opposites

Related words

  • frustrantfrustratingadjective
  • frustréfrustratedadjective

Word lists with this word