hassle

1 of 2

noun

has·​sle ˈha-səl 

1

: a heated often protracted argument : wrangle

embroiling myself in a long, exasperating hassle with masons

—S. J. Perelman

2

: a violent skirmish : fight

3

a

: a state of confusion : turmoil

all hassle and hurly-burly

—Ellery Queen

b

: an annoying or troublesome concern

avoid the hassle of filling out paperwork

flight delays and other hassles of holiday travel

too much of a hassle to bother with

hassle

2 of 2

verb

hassled; hassling ˈha-s(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: argue, fight

hassled with the umpire

transitive verb

: to annoy persistently or acutely : harass

gets hassled by the cops

Synonyms

Noun

• brush
• encounter
• run-in
• scrape
• skirmish

Verb

• bait
• haze
• heckle
• needle
• ride
• taunt
• tease

Examples of hassle in a Sentence

Noun

All this paperwork is a hassle.

They've had to deal with flight delays and all of the other hassles of holiday travel.

He got into a hassle with his landlord.

Verb

Other kids were always hassling her because she was overweight.

I'm sick of being hassled by telemarketers.

I don't have time to hassle with you about this! Just do what I tell you to do!

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Before the changes, a few neighborhoods rebelled against undergrounding because of construction hassles and the city’s inability to stick to schedules. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2024

Everyone from trial sponsors to the Food and Drug Administration has been quick to promise simpler processes, less hassle, and better experiences for everyone involved. —Hope Meely, STAT, 24 May 2024

Verb

The two thieves slammed her up against the side of the building, hassling her and rifling through her belongings before the doorman came outside. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2024

And our advertisers: Well, they were frequently hassled and, too often, intimidated into becoming former advertisers. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

perhaps blend of harass and hustle

First Known Use

Noun

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1951, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

hassle

1 of 2 verb

has·​sle ˈhas-əl 

hassled; hassling

-(ə-)liŋ

1

: argue sense 2, dispute

hassled with the umpire

2

: to annoy continuously : harass

hassle

2 of 2 noun

1

: argument sense 2

2

: fight entry 2 sense 1a

3

: something that is annoying or troublesome