Pelgris

I know there is a bunch of controversy surrounding this word.  Let me explain my definition.

Friendzoning is about someone deliberately stringing people along with the full knowledge that they have no intention of pursuing a romantic relationship while playing at the possibility that there might be one.
It is not about desiring sex and being denied it because the relationship between them is friendship.
If an individual cannot maintain the emotional distance required by friendship Eg not letting it spill over into desire, then it behooves the person to be honest and tell the one who wants friendship only that they desire a romantic relationship and would persue friendship only if it leads to such.
Some people are destined to only be friends.  But others you may feel romantically inclined to.  If you cannot shift the romantic interest into agapic entanglement then you owe it to yourself and the person to be honest about your intentions.  If you are and they don’t feel the same way then walk away.  Staying can only be damaging. Maybe some distance will change your mind.
Back to my main point, friendzone.
To me friendzoning is a deliberate manipulation, it means that the Desired is stringing along the desiree with the possibility of a romantic relationship in order to fulfill their own emotional or material needs without consideration of the emotional wellbeing of the desiree.  This is not actual friendship.  This is borderline sociopathic behavior.