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
Utility deposits forgotten in the haste and hassle of an interstate move. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026 The economics of everyday hassles The idea to take on the annoyance economy didn't begin with Project 2029. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 7 July 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 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 bird remains mostly still during the encounter aside from leaning toward the mask.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • First Amendment concerns The encounter mirrors concerns raised by press freedom advocates before the law was enacted.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • The potential path is long and demanding, starting with the visit of Pyunik on Wednesday evening for a first qualifying round clash that will see the winners take on either Northern Ireland’s Glentoran or Latvian side Riga.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • As part of these clashes, Israel twice launched significant air strikes on Iran—the second time ravaging Iran’s air defenses.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Former Defense Secretary John Healey, who resigned last month over a military spending dispute, was appointed as the UK’s new finance minister, known as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Authorities had not said how many weapons were fired or publicly detailed what started the dispute.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • Around one in 13 people experience recurring morning headaches, research suggests, with women and those between the ages of 45 and 64 more likely to have them.
    — Kathleen Felton, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • As body temperature rises and humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself, mild symptoms such as cramps and headaches can progress to shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and ultimately life-threatening heat stroke.
    — Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • In that contest, Clark was assessed a technical foul for loudly clapping in the direction of Mercury players during a skirmish, which White said the officials deemed as taunting.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Cox will play the Ripper — real name Dom Frant — who no longer kills but still taunts survivors of his past crimes.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of taunt
Verb
  • People like to bicker over the exact definition, but thru-hiking generally refers to backpacking a long-distance trail in a continuous fashion, often for weeks or months at a time.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • Hikers bicker over the exact definition, but the core idea is a continuous backpacking trip on a long trail.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • In that contest, Clark was assessed a technical foul for loudly clapping in the direction of Mercury players during a skirmish, which White said the officials deemed as taunting.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Oil prices jumped 6% on the news, following a violent weekend of skirmishes in the Persian Gulf as both sides attempted to assert control over the strait.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • The difference between those projects and the 27 data centers that already exist or are being built in Miami-Dade (including three newcomers that have drawn controversy) is the size.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • The data centers were initially built to train and run xAI's Grok AI models and chatbot, which was steeped in controversy.
    — Lora Kolodny,Jeniece Pettitt, CNBC, 16 July 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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