frustrate

Definition

To disappoint or defeat; to vex by depriving of something expected or desired.

Etymology

From Middle English frustraten (“to prevent, disappoint, render useless”), from Latin frūstrātus, perfect passive participle of frūstrō (“I deceive”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French frustrer.

Example Sentences

• "It frustrates me to do all this work and then lose it all."
• "My clumsy fingers frustrate my typing efforts."
• "Perhaps it was the too-tooing of the youth on the coach horn which frustrated the proposal, and made it appear ludicrous rather than insultive to her ears."