Synonyms of hassle

hassle 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-səl 

1

as in encounter

a brief clash between enemies or rivals

the best way to avoid hassles with those aggressive panhandlers is to ignore them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• encounter
• brush
• skirmish
• fight
• run-in
• argument
• brawl
• scrape
• quarrel
• battle
• spat
• squabble
• row
• tiff
• wrangle
• fray

2

as in clash

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

the moment the police arrived, the hassle broke up, and no one was seriously injured

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clash
• skirmish
• fight
• battle
• struggle
• tussle
• fray
• conflict
• scuffle
• brawl
• dustup
• confrontation
• contest
• fracas
• combat
• altercation
• scrimmage
• duel
• scrap
• mix-up
• dispute
• scrum
• blows
• ruckus
• tangle
• rough-and-tumble
• pitched battle
• battle royal
• controversy
• quarrel
• misunderstanding
• spat
• fisticuffs
• melee
• squabble
• wrangle
• free-for-all
• fistfight
• affray
• row
• punch-up
• ruction
• punch-out
• slugfest
• donnybrook
• joust
• falling-out
• tiff
• cross fire
• broil
• disagreement
• face-off
• contretemps
• kickup
• catfight
• argument
• grapple
• handgrips
• argy-bargy
• argle-bargle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truce

3

as in dispute

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

had a huge hassle with an airline representative before she got her ticket refunded

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dispute
• controversy
• altercation
• quarrel
• disagreement
• fight
• argument
• misunderstanding
• bicker
• row
• brawl
• squabble
• wrangle
• spat
• imbroglio
• disputation
• battle royal
• falling-out
• set-to
• tiff
• cross fire
• skirmish
• contretemps
• debate
• clash
• kickup
• feud
• difference
• rhubarb
• donnybrook
• tangle
• scrap
• tussle
• argy-bargy
• argle-bargle
• run-in
• fuss
• protest
• objection
• vendetta
• contention
• dissension
• attack
• logomachy
• protestation
• fisticuffs
• melee
• affray
• free-for-all
• catfight
• fray
• fracas

4

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation

it's a hassle to find a parking space downtown

Synonyms & Similar Words

• headache
• nuisance
• frustration
• worry
• inconvenience
• thorn
• annoyance
• problem
• aggravation
• irritant
• bother
• irk
• rub
• exasperation
• bugbear
• vexation
• pest
• peeve
• trial
• trouble
• discomfort
• burden
• botheration
• hair shirt
• menace
• insult
• ruffle
• aggro
• anxiety
• predicament
• curse
• plague
• upset
• affront
• pinprick
• cross
• sore
• plight
• offender
• tribulation
• albatross
• pet peeve
• disturber
• millstone
• fleabite
• offense
• hang-up
• annoyer
• mischief
• harasser
• affliction
• pandora's box

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

hassle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to taunt

to attack repeatedly with mean put-downs or insults

a small group of jeering protesters hassled the politically active singer at every appearance she made

Synonyms & Similar Words

• taunt
• tease
• bother
• mock
• annoy
• ride
• trouble
• haze
• bait
• needle
• ridicule
• pick on
• plague
• torture
• heckle
• irritate
• make game of
• try
• discomfort
• spite
• burn (up)
• nag
• irk
• aggravate
• bug
• disturb
• test
• itch
• fret
• pester
• exasperate
• vex
• peeve
• gnaw (at)
• chafe
• gripe
• bully
• grate
• frost
• get
• gibe
• put out
• deride
• torment
• hack (off)
• jeer
• harass
• rile
• ruffle
• goad
• gall
• dog
• badger
• pique
• nark
• agitate
• perturb
• aggrieve
• bedevil
• rasp
• nettle
• hound
• browbeat
• beleaguer
• persecute
• hagride
• terrorize
• harry
• hector

2

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily

constantly hassled with the chef over the need to cook pork thoroughly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bicker
• argue
• fight
• spat
• quarrel
• clash
• dispute
• brawl
• wrangle
• squabble
• row
• quibble
• fall out
• scrap
• debate
• jar
• brabble
• controvert
• mix it up
• lock horns
• discuss
• argufy
• tiff
• altercate
• bandy words
• butt heads
• fuss
• challenge
• dare
• contest
• tangle
• contend
• protest
• defy
• object
• cavil
• kick
• consider
• nitpick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• get along
• accept
• agree
• consent
• coexist
• concur
• assent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hassle

Noun

Storing knives properly isn’t just a tenet of good kitchen organization practices—knives that have a proper home will stay sharper longer, extending their lifespan and saving you the hassle of constant sharpening. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

My mom uses this slim power bank to charge on the go without adding bulk or the hassle of remembering to bring a cord. — Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

Karl is there to hassle her about taking the Boise deal, and Paula stands firm. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026

Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, skateboarding was a counterculture sport; enthusiasts hassled in streets and parking lots with few safe places to shred. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 8 May 2026