hassle

¹has·sle

noun \ˈha-səl\

Definition of HASSLE

1

: a heated often protracted argument : wrangle

2

: a violent skirmish : fight

3

a : a state of confusion : turmoil

b : an annoying or troublesome concern

Examples of HASSLE

1. All this paperwork is a hassle.
2. They've had to deal with flight delays and all of the other hassles of holiday travel.
3. He got into a hassle with his landlord.

First Known Use of HASSLE

1945

Related to HASSLE

Synonyms

brush, encounter, run-in, scrape, skirmish

Related Words

argument, fight, quarrel, row, spat, squabble, tiff; battle, brawl, fray, wrangle

Near Antonyms

truce

Rhymes with HASSLE

acyl, castle, facile, gracile, passel, tassel, vassal, wrestle

²hassle

verb

has·sledhas·sling \-s(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of HASSLE

intransitive verb

: argue, fight <hassled with the umpire>

transitive verb

: to annoy persistently or acutely : harass <he gets hassled in the street because he dresses funny — William Kloman>

Examples of HASSLE

1. Other kids were always hassling her because she was overweight.
2. I'm sick of being hassled by telemarketers.
3. I don't have time to hassle with you about this! Just do what I tell you to do!

Origin of HASSLE

perhaps blend of harass and hustle

First Known Use: 1951

Related to HASSLE

Synonyms

bait, tease, haze, heckle, needle, ride, taunt

Related Words

deride, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, ridicule; annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, fret, frost, gall, get, gnaw (at), grate, gripe, hack (off), hagride, irk, irritate, itch, nag, nark [British], nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, trouble, vex; aggravate, exasperate, goad, test, try; aggrieve, agitate, bedevil, beleaguer, discomfort, disturb, perturb; badger, dog, hound; browbeat, bully, hector; harass, harry, persecute, plague, terrorize, torment, torture

Near Antonyms

coexist, get along; accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

Rhymes with HASSLE

castle, tassel, vassal, wrestle