frustrant

Frustrant is an adjective in French meaning “frustrating” or “disappointing,” used to describe experiences, situations, or outcomes that provoke irritation, thwarted expectations, or a sense of obstruction. It can refer to delays, obstacles, ambiguous instructions, or results that fail to meet expectations.

Etymology and related terms: Frustrant derives from the verb frustrer, which is linked to the broader idea of thwarting or disappointing. The French noun frustration shares the same root. English cognates include frustrate and frustration, though frustrant itself is not a standard English word.

Usage and examples: In French, frustrant can modify nouns or function predicatively. Examples include “Une attente frustrante” (a frustrating wait) and “Cette procédure est frustrante” (This procedure is frustrating). It can also appear in constructions such as “Il est frustrant que…” to express “It is frustrating that…,” or “C’est frustrant” for a general complaint. In literary or formal styles, the word may carry a somewhat heightened tone compared with everyday speech.

English usage: Frustrant is not commonly used in English. The usual translation is “frustrating.” When encountered in bilingual writing or translations, it is typically treated as a loanword or rendered into standard English.

See also: Frustration; Frustrer; Frustrating; Frustration (emotion).