Here are some synonyms of "frustration" and their explanations:
1. Annoyance
- Explanation: "Annoyance" refers to a feeling of being slightly irritated or bothered. It's a less intense emotion compared to extreme frustration. For example, when you can't find your keys and it makes you a little cross, that's annoyance. You might say, "The constant buzzing of the fly was an annoyance." It's like a milder form of the negative emotion that can build up to frustration if the situation persists or worsens.
2. Exasperation
- Explanation: "Exasperation" means a feeling of intense irritation or frustration. It's stronger than annoyance. When you've tried multiple times to solve a problem without success and you start to feel really fed up, that's exasperation. For example, "After hours of trying to fix the computer and it still not working, his exasperation was clear." It shows a growing sense of frustration and a feeling of being at the end of your patience.
3. Aggravation
- Explanation: "Aggravation" can mean an increase in the severity of a negative feeling, usually irritation or frustration. It can also refer to the act of making a situation worse and thereby increasing frustration. For example, "The added paperwork was an aggravation to an already stressful day." Here, the extra task made the existing frustration more intense, as if it was piling on and making the overall feeling of being thwarted even stronger.
4. Disappointment
- Explanation: "Disappointment" is the feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction when expectations are not met. It's related to frustration because when you expect to achieve something and you can't, it often leads to frustration. For example, "She felt a deep disappointment when she didn't get the job she had hoped for. This disappointment was accompanied by frustration as she had put in so much effort." Disappointment can be a precursor to or a part of the overall feeling of frustration.
5. Chagrin
- Explanation: "Chagrin" is a feeling of distress or embarrassment caused by failure or disappointment. It's a more refined or perhaps more self - conscious form of frustration. For example, "To his chagrin, he realized he had made a foolish mistake in front of everyone." There's a sense of frustration with oneself and a bit of shame that comes with the realization of the mistake, making it a more complex emotion related to the general concept of being thwarted or disappointed.