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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Membership is curated for genuine automotive passion, not just wealth, allowing members to truly unleash their high-performance vehicles and refine their skills without administrative hassle. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 There are a lot of great things about New York, but getting there and navigating will always be a hassle. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 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 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
  • Cell phone video later obtained by media outlets also appeared to conflict with Castro's description of the encounter.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In New York City, for instance, pedestrians remain far more likely to be hurt or die in encounters with cars, trucks, or vans.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The clash between Ossoff and Piker comes as members of the Jewish community in Atlanta have criticized the Jewish Democrat, largely over his votes to block certain arms sales to Israel.
    — Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adair died in jail following a dispute with deputies, including Fatherley, who knelt on his back.
    — Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • West Nile symptoms A full 80% of those infected may not show symptoms, but 20% have flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, rash or fatigue.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Cole Burston / Getty Images With so many clubs still in the mix, even scoreboard watching can induce a headache.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of headache
Verb
  • Continue reading … -- POLITICS 'BAD LOOK' – Newsom's attack dog taunts Buttigieg over South Carolina visit as 2028 fight heats up.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Cunningham’s highlights are hard fouls, a few 3-pointers, taunting, serving as a ring girl at a UFC fight, her sense of humor, and now commentary that has a Fox flair.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of taunt
Verb
  • Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
  • There’s striker Josie Gordon, bickering twin sisters Siobhan and Niamh, glove-shunning goalie Katie ‘Boots’ Quinn and couple Maddie and Margy.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of bicker
Noun
  • There was a brief skirmish in the end zone after Howell's 2-point conversion run.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA.
    — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • After many decades of organizing, speaking, writing, agitating — and weathering the constant controversy that courted — Steinem kept going.
    — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • George Lucas, for his part, has suggested that bringing the Lucas Museum to fruition—a project beset by delays and controversy that has taken nearly a decade to realize—was a herculean effort.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversy

Browse Nearby Words

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hassle
hassled
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Cite this Entry

“Hassle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hassle. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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