Frustrating

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /fɹʌˈstɹeɪ̯tɪŋ/, /ˈfɹʌsËŒtɹeɪ̯tɪŋ/
• IPA IPA: /ˈfɹʌsËŒtɹeɪ̯tɪŋ/, ˈf(ɹ)ÊŒsËŒtɹeɪ̯ɾɪŋ, ˈf(ɹ)ʌʃˌt͡ʃɹeɪ̯ɾɪŋ

Origin

Combination of frustrate and the present participle suffix: -ing

Full definition of frustrating

Adjective

1. discouraging; causing annoyance or anger by excessive difficulty
• 2012, May 27, Nathan Rabin, TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992), The episode’s unwillingness to fully commit to the pathos of the Bart-and-Laura subplot is all the more frustrating considering its laugh quota is more than filled by a rollicking B-story that finds Homer, he of the iron stomach and insatiable appetite, filing a lawsuit against The Frying Dutchman when he’s hauled out of the eatery against his will after consuming all of the restaurant’s shrimp (plus two plastic lobsters).

Derived terms

• frustratingly

Verb

1. Present participle of frustrate

Synonyms

• discouraging