hassle

1 of 2

noun

has·​sle ˈha-səl How to pronounce hassle (audio)
1
: a heated often protracted argument : wrangle
embroiling myself in a long, exasperating hassle with masonsS. J. Perelman
2
: a violent skirmish : fight
3
a
: a state of confusion : turmoil
all hassle and hurly-burlyEllery 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 How to pronounce hassle (audio)

intransitive verb

: argue, fight
hassled with the umpire

transitive verb

: to annoy persistently or acutely : harass
gets hassled by the cops

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
My wife, for instance, often avoids going to events because getting ready is such a hassle. John Hall, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Pumpkin Spice Cookies 07 of 14 Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake Toffee candy bars and seasonal spices take this pumpkin sheet cake over the top without the hassle of frosting layers. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024
Verb
Coddled by his mother, Audrey (Rachel Bay Jones), and hassled by his father, Jim (Will Sasso), Connor doesn’t fit in even in his own family. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 July 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for hassle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hassle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hassle was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near hassle

Cite this Entry

“Hassle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hassle. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

hassle

1 of 2 verb
has·​sle ˈhas-əl How to pronounce hassle (audio)
hassled; hassling
-(ə-)liŋ
1
: argue sense 2, dispute
hassled with the umpire
2
: to annoy continuously : harass

hassle

2 of 2 noun
1
2
3
: something that is annoying or troublesome

More from Merriam-Webster on hassle

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