1. Preventing realization or attainment of a desire
   "The frustrating bureaucracy delayed the project for months";
   - frustrative, thwarting
    
2. Causing discouragement and frustration
   "The frustrating traffic jam made him late for work"

1. Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
   "What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge";
   - thwart, queer [informal], spoil, scotch, foil, cross, baffle, bilk [informal], scupper [informal]
    
2. Deprive of courage or hope; take away hope from; cause to feel discouraged
   "The setbacks frustrated his attempts to succeed";
   - discourage
    
3. Harass persistently in cruel or annoying way
   "The children frustrated the stuttering teacher";
   - torment, rag, bedevil, crucify, dun

See also: discouraging, preventative, preventive

Type of: alter, beset, change, chevvy [non-standard], chevy [Brit, archaic], chivvy [Brit], chivy [Brit], forbid, foreclose, forestall, harass, harry, hassle [informal], modify, molest, plague, preclude, prevent, provoke

Encyclopedia: Frustrate