Word: frustrated (adjective)

Associations

Frustrated means feeling upset or annoyed because you cannot achieve something you want. It often happens when things do not go the way you expect.

• Example 1: "She felt frustrated when she couldn't solve the math problem." (In this case, she is upset because she cannot figure out the problem.)

• Example 2: "He was frustrated with the slow internet connection." (Here, he is annoyed because the internet is too slow and affecting his work.)

• Example 3: "They became frustrated after waiting in line for hours." (They feel upset because waiting too long is annoying.)

Frustrated has a synonym, "annoyed," but frustrated means a deeper feeling of being upset because of obstacles, while annoyed can be a lighter feeling of irritation.

Substitution

You can use other words instead of frustrated, such as:

• Disappointed: This means you expected something good but did not get it, which can lead to frustration.
• Irritated: This suggests a lighter feeling of discomfort or annoyance without the deeper struggle that frustrates implies.
• Exasperated: This means extremely annoyed or frustrated, often because someone is repeating a mistake.

The substitution can change the meaning slightly, making it either stronger or lighter.

Deconstruction

The word "frustrated" comes from the Latin verb "frustrari," which means to deceive or disappoint.

It has no prefix but has the suffix "-ed," which indicates it is in a past participle form. This shows the state of feeling affected by frustration.

Understanding this origin helps us see that frustration comes from situations where our expectations are not met, leading to a feeling of disappointment.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt frustrated? What was the situation?
• In what situations do you think people often feel frustrated?
• How do you usually deal with feelings of frustration?