frustrate
UK: frʌˈstreɪt | US: ˈfrʌstreɪt
vt. to prevent (someone) from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire
vt. to cause (someone) to feel discouraged or defeated
vt. (archaic) to make (plans, efforts, etc.) ineffective or worthless
frustrate = frustr<in vain> + ate<verb suffix>
- frustr (from Latin frustra "in vain, uselessly")
- ate (verb-forming suffix indicating action or process)
Etymology Origin:
The word "frustrate" traces back to Latin frustratus, the past participle of frustrari ("to deceive, disappoint"), derived from frustra ("in vain"). The core idea revolves around rendering efforts futile or blocking success. Over time, it shifted from literal obstruction (e.g., thwarting plans) to encompassing emotional discouragement. The suffix -ate standardizes it as a verb in English.
Constant technical issues frustrate his attempts to finish the project.
She felt frustrated by the lack of clear instructions.
The team’s strategy was frustrated by unexpected delays.
His ambitions were frustrated by bureaucratic hurdles.
Don’t let minor setbacks frustrate your long-term goals.