hassle
1 of 2noun
has·sle ˈha-səl 
1
: a heated often protracted argument : wrangle
embroiling myself in a long, exasperating hassle with masons
S. J. Perelman
S. J. Perelman2
: a violent skirmish : fight
3
a
: a state of confusion : turmoil
all hassle and hurly-burly Ellery Queen
Ellery 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 2verb
hassled; hassling ˈha-s(ə-)liŋ
intransitive verb
: argue, fight
hassled with the umpire
transitive verb
: to annoy persistently or acutely : harass
gets hassled by the cops
Synonyms
Noun
- brush
- encounter
- run-in
- scrape
- skirmish
Verb
- bait
- haze
- heckle
- needle
- ride
- taunt
- tease
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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! See More
Recent Examples on the Web Bridget Arsenault, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 On Saturday, pedestrians were welcome to come and experience the community by walking, rolling, and biking on Blue Hill Avenue without the hassle of traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Grace Gilson, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 Today's at-home hair color options are easy to use and offer a quick and inexpensive way to update your look without the cost and hassle of a trip to the salon. Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping, 25 May 2022 This saves you time and the hassle of having to figure out how to get rid of the mess. Debbie Wolfe, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2022 Besides the lost online sales from individual buyers, many European independent shops that used to stock Netherton Foundry’s products have concluded it’s just not worth the cost or the hassle. New York Times, 29 Dec. 2021 That also saved officers time and hassle, creating efficiencies that enabled clients to borrow small sums at affordable rates. The Economist, 15 Aug. 2020 But why go through all that hassle for just 10 million potential customers? Chris Smith, BGR, 21 July 2022 There are exceptions for guns used in hunting, but the process of getting a license is time-consuming and expensive, so very few people go through the hassle. New York Times, 8 July 2022 The Editors, Scientific American, 21 June 2022 Designed to fit directly onto the downspout of your filter, these Massca guards are ideal for those who don’t want to hassle with complex installation of full-length guards. Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 1 June 2022 Roll it up and Dad can easily fit it in his carry-on sans hassle. Helena Madden, ELLE Decor, 26 May 2022 George has proven himself to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and having Powell back in the lineup means the Clips have one more perimeter guy who can hassle the Pels' stars. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2022 Aside from the opportunity to hassle Biden — think of impeachment as Benghazi on steroids — this talk from Republicans is probably just another effort to destigmatize Trump's very real offenses. Joel Mathis, The Week, 31 Aug. 2021 Neighborhood fussbudgets are sure to demand extensive design review of the triplex, a process that take years while neighbors fuss and hassle developers over glazing requirements, curb cuts, color swatches. Roger Valdez, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2021 Its pass rush has a chance to hassle Jefferson as well. Christopher Smith, al, 12 Oct. 2021 Beautiful nails can be achieved in less than five minutes with Dashing Diva’s Magic Press hassle free instant manicure. Essence, 1 Sep. 2021 See More
Noun
The two main challenges that come with owning a luxury second home are—the high upfront costs and the on-going cost and hassle of management and maintenance. Bridget Arsenault, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 On Saturday, pedestrians were welcome to come and experience the community by walking, rolling, and biking on Blue Hill Avenue without the hassle of traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Grace Gilson, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 Today's at-home hair color options are easy to use and offer a quick and inexpensive way to update your look without the cost and hassle of a trip to the salon. Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping, 25 May 2022 This saves you time and the hassle of having to figure out how to get rid of the mess. Debbie Wolfe, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2022 Besides the lost online sales from individual buyers, many European independent shops that used to stock Netherton Foundry’s products have concluded it’s just not worth the cost or the hassle. New York Times, 29 Dec. 2021 That also saved officers time and hassle, creating efficiencies that enabled clients to borrow small sums at affordable rates. The Economist, 15 Aug. 2020 But why go through all that hassle for just 10 million potential customers? Chris Smith, BGR, 21 July 2022 There are exceptions for guns used in hunting, but the process of getting a license is time-consuming and expensive, so very few people go through the hassle. New York Times, 8 July 2022 Verb
Installing them often requires electrical work upgrades, which, for many people, make the cost and hassle not worth it. The Editors, Scientific American, 21 June 2022 Designed to fit directly onto the downspout of your filter, these Massca guards are ideal for those who don’t want to hassle with complex installation of full-length guards. Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 1 June 2022 Roll it up and Dad can easily fit it in his carry-on sans hassle. Helena Madden, ELLE Decor, 26 May 2022 George has proven himself to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and having Powell back in the lineup means the Clips have one more perimeter guy who can hassle the Pels' stars. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2022 Aside from the opportunity to hassle Biden — think of impeachment as Benghazi on steroids — this talk from Republicans is probably just another effort to destigmatize Trump's very real offenses. Joel Mathis, The Week, 31 Aug. 2021 Neighborhood fussbudgets are sure to demand extensive design review of the triplex, a process that take years while neighbors fuss and hassle developers over glazing requirements, curb cuts, color swatches. Roger Valdez, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2021 Its pass rush has a chance to hassle Jefferson as well. Christopher Smith, al, 12 Oct. 2021 Beautiful nails can be achieved in less than five minutes with Dashing Diva’s Magic Press hassle free instant manicure. Essence, 1 Sep. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
hassle 1 of 2
noun
has·sle ˈha-səl
1
: something that annoys or bothers Filling out these forms is a hassle.
2
: an argument or fight
hassle
2 of 2verb
hassled; hassling
: to annoy continuously : harass
"He hassles all the smaller kids on the bus." Carl Hiaasen, Hoot
Carl Hiaasen, Hoothassles 1 of 2
noun
1
as in encounters
a brief clash between enemies or rivals the best way to avoid hassles with those aggressive panhandlers is to ignore them Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- encounters
- skirmishes
- brushes
- squabbles
- fights
- run-ins
- quarrels
- brawls
- scrapes
- spats
- tiffs
- arguments
- wrangles
- battles
- rows
- frays
2
as in clashes
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
- clashes
- skirmishes
- fights
- battles
- struggles
- conflicts
- tussles
- scuffles
- confrontations
- dustups
- brawls
- frays
- altercations
- contests
- fracas
- disputes
- fracases
- combats
- quarrels
- scrimmages
- squabbles
- duels
- misunderstandings
- tangles
- scrums
- scraps
- blows
- controversies
- fistfights
- mix-ups
- wrangles
- disagreements
- fisticuffs
- broils
- melees
- spats
- pitched battles
- tiffs
- ructions
- affrays
- rough-and-tumbles
- ruckuses
- contretemps
- battles royal
- rows
- catfights
- battle royales
- slugfests
- jousts
- battle royals
- mêlées
- donnybrooks
- battles royale
- punch-ups
- cross fires
- arguments
- falling-outs
- punch-outs
- free-for-alls
- handgrips
- grapples
- fallings-out
- kickups
- argle-bargles
- face-offs
- argy-bargies
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- truces
3
as in disputes
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
- disputes
- altercations
- disagreements
- controversies
- quarrels
- misunderstandings
- fights
- bickers
- squabbles
- arguments
- brawls
- wrangles
- imbroglios
- skirmishes
- clashes
- spats
- tiffs
- differences
- feuds
- contretemps
- disputations
- rows
- tangles
- cross fires
- falling-outs
- debates
- tussles
- battles royal
- battle royales
- fallings-out
- battle royals
- battles royale
- kickups
- donnybrooks
- rhubarbs
- set-tos
- objections
- protests
- argle-bargles
- scraps
- argy-bargies
- vendettas
- protestations
- run-ins
- attacks
- dissentions
- contentions
- dissensions
- logomachies
- fisticuffs
- catfights
- melees
- fusses
- affrays
- fracas
- fracases
- frays
- mêlées
- free-for-alls
4
as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation it's a hassle to find a parking space downtown Synonyms & Similar Words
- headaches
- frustrations
- worries
- nuisances
- inconveniences
- problems
- annoyances
- thorns
- irritants
- aggravations
- vexations
- irks
- anxieties
- troubles
- discomforts
- pests
- exasperations
- botherations
- trials
- peeves
- bugbears
- rubs
- burdens
- bothers
- menaces
- insults
- ruffles
- predicaments
- hair shirts
- curses
- plagues
- tribulations
- affronts
- upsets
- aggros
- offenders
- pinpricks
- plights
- offences
- albatross
- hang-ups
- fleabites
- disturbers
- sores
- annoyers
- crosses
- pet peeves
- offenses
- mischiefs
- afflictions
- millstones
- harassers
- albatrosses
- pandora's boxes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- joys
- pleasures
- delights
hassles
2 of 2verb
1
as in taunts
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
- taunts
- teases
- bothers
- troubles
- mocks
- annoys
- rides
- plagues
- tortures
- heckles
- ridicules
- needles
- baits
- hazes
- picks on
- irritates
- discomforts
- tests
- bugs
- gripes
- jeers
- bullies
- nags
- peeves
- irks
- jibes
- gibes
- aggravates
- torments
- tries
- exasperates
- itches
- grates
- spites
- pesters
- disturbs
- frosts
- vexes
- chafes
- dogs
- ruffles
- riles
- makes game of
- frets
- nettles
- derides
- bedevils
- narks
- badgers
- harasses
- hounds
- galls
- piques
- goads
- perturbs
- rasps
- gets
- persecutes
- aggrieves
- agitates
- puts out
- hagrides
- burns (up)
- hacks (off)
- harries
- beleaguers
- gnaws (at)
- hectors
- terrorizes
- browbeats
2
as in bickers
to express different opinions about something often angrily constantly hassled with the chef over the need to cook pork thoroughly Synonyms & Similar Words
- bickers
- quarrels
- squabbles
- clashes
- disputes
- fights
- brawls
- wrangles
- argues
- spats
- tiffs
- quibbles
- rows
- debates
- challenges
- jars
- brabbles
- scraps
- locks horns
- altercates
- argufies
- falls out
- butts heads
- bandies words
- controverts
- tangles
- contests
- discusses
- mixes it up
- protests
- cavils
- dares
- objects
- contends
- nitpicks
- defies
- fusses
- kicks
- considers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- accepts
- coexists
- consents
- agrees
- gets along
- concurs
- assents