frustrating

adjective

frus·​trat·​ing ˈfrə-ˌstrā-tiŋ 

: causing feelings of anger and annoyance : tending to produce or characterized by frustration

a frustrating delay

a very frustrating experience

Mischel concludes that having the willpower to wait isn't about being stoic. It's about learning techniques that make waiting less frustrating.

—Pamela Druckerman

frustratingly adverb

a frustratingly slow process

The book is sprawling and self-indulgent. Most frustratingly, it is almost entirely devoid of serious military analysis.

—Hew Strachan

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• annoying
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pesky
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of frustrating in a Sentence

All these delays have been very frustrating.

these daily traffic jams are frustrating

Recent Examples on the Web

The frustrating thing is that our engine moves so slowly and so easily gets derailed and stuck. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 June 2024

The distinction matters to private groups whose work can be frustrating. —David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024

This editorial is misleading to the public and frustrating to those who understand the context. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024

Aaaaand, of course, the celebration has already been cut short thanks to a frustrating mix of homophobia, misogynoir, and book purists. —Aja Romano, Vox, 18 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

frustrating

adjective

: producing frustration

a frustrating delay

frustratingly adverb