frustrate
gb/fɹˈʌstɹˌeɪt/ us/fɹˈʌstɹˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 1900
frusztrál, meghiúsít
VERB
B1
1
frusztrál
B2
Usage pattern:
to frustrate [someone]
The delays in the project began to frustrate the entire team.
A projekt késései kezdték frusztrálni az egész csapatot.
Her inability to explain the problem clearly frustrated the technician.
Az, hogy nem tudta világosan elmagyarázni a problémát, frusztrálta a technikust.
It really frustrates me when people don't listen to instructions.
The constant interruptions frustrated his concentration.
The teacher was frustrated by the students' lack of attention.
Learner examples
The noise frustrates me when I try to read.
Frusztrál a zaj, amikor olvasni próbálok.
I feel frustrated when I cannot solve the puzzle.
Frusztráltnak érzem magam, amikor nem tudom megoldani a rejtvényt.
He frustrates his sister by taking her toys.
The broken pen frustrated me during the test.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'frustrate' with 'confuse'; 'frustrate' is about blocking or upsetting, not making someone unclear about something.
Meaning
Make someone upset by blocking them
Collocations
frustrate efforts
|frustrate attempts
|deeply frustrate
|frustrate plans
Synonyms
annoy (More general irritation; does not always involve blocking a goal.)
|
discourage (Focuses more on reducing someone's motivation rather than causing irritation.)
Antonyms
encourage (Helps someone feel able and motivated instead of blocked.)
|
support (Provides help toward a goal rather than preventing it.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel bad because they cannot do what they want.
To make someone feel annoyed or upset because they are prevented from achieving something they want or need to do.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
2
meghiúsít
B2
Usage pattern:
to frustrate [plan/attempt/effort]
The police frustrated the robbery attempt.
A rendőrség meghiúsította a rablási kísérletet.
Bad weather frustrated our plans for a picnic.
A rossz idő meghiúsította a piknikre vonatkozó terveinket.
Security measures frustrated the hackers' efforts.
His quick thinking frustrated the enemy's attack.
Learner examples
Rain frustrated our game in the park.
Az eső meghiúsította a parki játékunkat.
The guard frustrated the thief's plan.
Az őr meghiúsította a tolvaj tervét.
They frustrated the team’s goal by blocking the shot.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this meaning in casual speech where simpler verbs like 'stop' are more natural.
Meaning
Prevent a plan from succeeding
Collocations
frustrate attempts
|frustrate efforts
|frustrate the enemy
Synonyms
thwart (Very similar meaning; often used in formal or literary contexts.)
|
foil (Often used for stopping criminal or hostile plans.)
Antonyms
advance (To help a plan or effort move forward.)
|
facilitate (To make it easier for a plan to succeed.)
Themes
business
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stop something from working or happening as planned.
To stop a plan, effort, or attempt from being successful.
Grammar
Dictionary form
frustrate
IPA
GB/fɹˈʌstɹˌeɪt/
US/fɹˈʌstɹˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
frus - trate (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (frus)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: frustrate
- 3rd Person Singular: frustrates
- Present Participle: frustrating
- Past: frustrated
Word family
Expressions
frustrated by
1/fɹˈʌstɹˌeɪtɪd bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
Upset because something stops success
Feeling bad or angry because something is stopping you from doing what you want.
Examples
- He was frustrated by the constant delays.
- They were frustrated by the lack of clear instructions.
frustrated with
1/fɹˈʌstɹˌeɪtɪd wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
Upset because of difficulty with something
Feeling bad or angry because something or someone is hard to deal with.
Examples
- I'm frustrated with my slow computer.
- She felt frustrated with her lack of progress.