hassle 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-səl How to pronounce hassle (audio)
Definition of hasslenext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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4
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation it's a hassle to find a parking space downtown

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hassle
Noun
But for companies and teams touring events regularly, adventure guides and other businesses, this seems like a solid, low-hassle choice as a base of multi-day operations. — New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026 The curvaceous Road to Hana, which hugs Maui's northeastern shore around Haleakalā National Park, is one of the island's most memorable experiences, one that will make the hassle of renting a car worth it. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
Tzolis routinely joined the press late and hassled the player in possession from his blindside. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Others, who either forget or are unwilling to hassle the move, incur a $65 ticket and often a tow, creating a time-consuming obstacle for broom operators. — Norman Steisel, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hassle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hassle
  1. encounter
  2. clash
  3. dispute
  4. headache
  5. taunt
  6. bicker
  7. skirmish
  8. controversy
Noun
  • The women have testified in court about alleged encounters at a hotel, a bar, a radio station, a workplace and Brand’s home.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Their brief encounter leads Tanya to purchase a beautiful antique glass snowflake which, unbeknownst to her or Jason, is a good luck charm that carries a generations-old Christmas tradition.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • Pressure to address the conditions in the juvenile jails intensified this summer after a June 21 violent clash at Horizon in Mott Haven between the detainees and staff, in which 11 were stabbed and 15 hospitalized, according to a Council report.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But there's a likely clash of ideals and approach coming on the left over the next several months, as the Democratic presidential primaries.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Heemeyer owned a muffler shop in the town and had been engaged in a long-running series of property and zoning disputes with local authorities.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Having been through the NBA and NFL lockouts of 2011 and other labor disputes, McKenzie recalled just how much of a rush there can be on supplementing income if paychecks don’t resume.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein have caused headaches for Britain’s royal family for almost two decades.
    — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Frequent awakenings, loud snoring, gasping during sleep, morning headaches or uncomfortable leg sensations warrant a conversation with a healthcare provider.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • A week earlier, Packers receiver Matthew Golden had drawn a taunting flag for flexing his biceps after a crucial catch against the Cowboys even as the broadcast had one player posing in that very position for introductions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Perhaps sensing his lack of commitment, Lena taunts him back.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of taunt
Verb
  • The two of them together, just 17 months apart, shared playlists, bickered over where to stop during Apple CarPlay calls, pulled up beside me and faded away with silly faces, encapsulating 20 years of my life in my rearview mirror.
    — Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Like law enforcement agents everywhere, they’re disposed to bickering about jurisdiction or pumping each other for off-limits information.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • This week’s public skirmish was a repeat performance, if not a somewhat pathetic display of both men’s need to agitate for attention.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • An agent removed Pretti’s gun from his waistband and can be seen exiting the skirmish.
    — Whitney Wild, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • The Republican nominee defended the political ad until it was pulled by the campaign, while Acton used the controversy to her advantage.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Although the film is not true to some parts of the book, which caused some controversy among staunch King fans, Kubrick does bring to life the terrors King so aptly wrote about, including domestic abuse, isolation, helplessness, and alcoholism.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of controversy

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Cite this Entry

“Hassle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hassle. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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