Frustration vs. Conflict — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
"Frustration" is an emotional state of dissatisfaction or stress caused by unmet expectations or blocked goals. "Conflict," on the other hand, refers to a disagreement, struggle, or clash between opposing forces, ideas, or interests.
Difference Between Frustration and Conflict
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Frustration" generally refers to an emotional state characterized by dissatisfaction, disappointment, or stress that arises when expectations are not met or goals are blocked. "Conflict," however, denotes a situation in which there is a disagreement or struggle between two or more parties. In essence, frustration is an internal experience, whereas conflict often involves interaction with others or external circumstances.
Both "frustration" and "conflict" can occur in a variety of contexts—personal, professional, emotional, or intellectual. However, the key difference lies in the nature of these terms: frustration is emotional and subjective, while conflict is usually observable and can be either emotional or rational.
"Frustration" typically leads to emotional responses such as annoyance, discouragement, or anger. On the other hand, "conflict" may result in a range of outcomes, from constructive discussions to heated arguments or even physical confrontations. The results of conflict can be both positive and negative, depending on how it is managed.
"Frustration" is mostly used as a noun but can also function as a verb, as in "to frustrate someone's plans." "Conflict," primarily a noun, can also take the form of a verb, as in "their interests conflict." Both words are versatile in their grammatical roles and contexts of usage, but their meanings and implications differ significantly.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Emotional, internal
Observable, external
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Contexts
Personal, emotional
Personal, social, intellectual
Outcomes
Emotional responses like annoyance
Range from discussion to physical confrontation
Grammatical Role
Mainly a noun, can be a verb
Mainly a noun, can be a verb
Relationship with Others
Usually involves self
Usually involves interaction between parties
Compare with Definitions
Frustration
A sense of being obstructed in pursuing an aim.
The constant interruptions led to a lot of frustration.
Conflict
A state of mental or emotional tension due to incompatible circumstances.
The conflict in his mind was unbearable.
Frustration
A feeling of dissatisfaction due to unmet goals or expectations.
Her frustration grew as she missed the deadline.
Conflict
A disagreement or struggle between opposing parties.
The siblings had a conflict over who would get the last piece of cake.
Frustration
A state of emotional distress or annoyance.
He couldn't hide his frustration when the computer crashed.
Conflict
A battle or prolonged struggle.
The conflict lasted for years and affected many lives.
Frustration
A psychological reaction to blocked objectives.
Frustration often leads to a lack of motivation.
Conflict
An opposition between characters or forces in a story.
The main conflict in the novel is man versus nature.
Frustration
A feeling of helplessness or ineffectiveness.
His frustration was evident when he couldn't solve the problem.
Conflict
A clash of interests, values, or desires.
There was a conflict between her career and personal life.
Frustration
In psychology, frustration is a common emotional response to opposition, related to anger, annoyance and disappointment. Frustration arises from the perceived resistance to the fulfillment of an individual's will or goal and is likely to increase when a will or goal is denied or blocked.
Conflict
A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one
The eternal conflict between the sexes
Doctors often come into conflict with politicians
Frustration
The act of preventing the accomplishment or fulfillment of something
The defense's frustration of their opponent's attempts to score.
Conflict
Be incompatible or at variance; clash
The date for the match conflicted with a religious festival
Parents' and children's interests sometimes conflict
Frustration
The feeling or state of being frustrated
I couldn't get a real person to talk to and slammed down the phone in frustration.
Conflict
A state of open, often prolonged fighting; a battle or war.
Frustration
Something that causes such a feeling or state
A job with many frustrations.
Conflict
A state of disagreement or disharmony between persons or ideas; a clash
A conflict over water rights.
Frustration
The feeling of annoyance at impassibility from resistance.
Conflict
(Psychology) An emotional or mental disturbance resulting from the opposition or simultaneous functioning of mutually exclusive impulses, desires, or tendencies.
Frustration
The act of frustrating, or the state, or an instance of being frustrated.
Conflict
Opposition between characters or forces in a work of drama or fiction, especially when motivating or shaping the action of the plot.
Frustration
(law) The state of contract that allows a party to back away from its contractual obligations due to (unforeseen) radical changes to the nature of the thing a party has been obligated to.
Conflict
To be in or come into opposition; differ.
Frustration
A thing that frustrates.
Conflict
(Archaic) To engage in warfare.
Frustration
Anger not directed at anything or anyone in particular.
Conflict
A clash or disagreement, often violent, between two or more opposing groups or individuals.
The conflict between the government and the rebels began three years ago.
Frustration
The act of frustrating; disappointment; defeat; as, the frustration of one's designs.
Conflict
An incompatibility, as of two things that cannot be simultaneously fulfilled.
I wanted to attend the meeting but there's a conflict in my schedule that day.
Frustration
The feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals
Conflict
(intransitive) To be at odds (with); to disagree or be incompatible
Frustration
An act of hindering someone's plans or efforts
Conflict
(intransitive) To overlap (with), as in a schedule.
Your conference call conflicts with my older one: please reschedule.
It appears that our schedules conflict.
Frustration
A feeling of annoyance at being hindered or criticized;
Her constant complaints were the main source of his frustration
Conflict
A striking or dashing together; violent collision; as, a conflict of elements or waves.
Conflict
A strife for the mastery; hostile contest; battle; struggle; fighting.
As soon as he [Atterbury] was himself again, he became eager for action and conflict.
An irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces.
Conflict
To strike or dash together; to meet in violent collision; to collide.
Fire and water conflicting together.
Conflict
To maintain a conflict; to contend; to engage in strife or opposition; to struggle.
A man would be content to . . . conflict with great difficulties, in hopes of a mighty reward.
Conflict
To be in opposition; to be contradictory.
The laws of the United States and of the individual States may, in some cases, conflict with each other.
Conflict
An open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals);
The harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph
Police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
Conflict
Opposition between two simultaneous but incompatible feelings;
He was immobilized by conflict and indecision
Conflict
A hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war;
Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
He lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
Conflict
A state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests;
His conflict of interest made him ineligible for the post
A conflict of loyalties
Conflict
An incompatibility of dates or events;
He noticed a conflict in the dates of the two meetings
Conflict
Opposition in a work of drama or fiction between characters or forces (especially an opposition that motivates the development of the plot);
This form of conflict is essential to Mann's writing
Conflict
A disagreement or argument about something important;
He had a dispute with his wife
There were irreconcilable differences
The familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats
Conflict
Be in conflict;
The two proposals conflict!
Conflict
Go against, as of rules and laws;
He ran afould of the law
This behavior conflicts with our rules
Common Curiosities
Is frustration an internal feeling?
Yes, frustration is generally an internal emotional experience.
Is conflict an external situation?
Conflict usually involves external interaction between two or more parties.
Can frustration lead to conflict?
Yes, frustration can often lead to conflict if not managed well.
What is conflict?
Conflict refers to a disagreement or struggle between opposing parties.
What is frustration?
Frustration is an emotional state of dissatisfaction arising from unmet goals or expectations.
Can conflict be constructive?
Yes, conflict can be constructive if managed properly.
Is frustration always negative?
Frustration is usually perceived as negative, but it can also be a motivator for change.
Can conflict be a verb?
Yes, "to conflict" is the verb form, meaning to be in disagreement or opposition.
Is conflict observable?
Conflict is generally observable and involves external factors or people.
Is frustration subjective?
Yes, frustration is a subjective experience and can vary from person to person.
Can conflict lead to frustration?
Yes, unresolved conflict can result in feelings of frustration.
What are common outcomes of frustration?
Common outcomes include emotional distress, demotivation, and sometimes withdrawal.
Can frustration be a verb?
Yes, "to frustrate" is the verb form, meaning to cause frustration.
What are common outcomes of conflict?
Outcomes can range from constructive discussions to heated arguments or even physical confrontations.
Are frustration and conflict related?
While they are different, frustration and conflict often intersect and can influence each other.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
