hassle
19 synonyms and 1 antonym for hassle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A source of trouble, bother, or minor annoyance.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A source of trouble, bother, or minor annoyance.
“Renewing my passport was a real hassle.”
How to use hassle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
what a hassle
hassle-free
hassle someone about
Etymology
Origin uncertain; likely from a Southern US dialect word for panting or breathing noisily, possibly blended with "haste."
Full origin of hassle →Frequently asked questions
What does “hassle” mean?
The word “hassle” means a source of trouble, bother, or minor annoyance. In plain terms, annoying trouble or bother — as a noun the problem itself, as a verb the act of pestering someone.
How do you pronounce “hassle”?
“Hassle” is pronounced HASL (/ˈhæsl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “hassle” in a sentence?
Here is “hassle” used in a sentence: “Renewing my passport was a real hassle.”
What part of speech is “hassle”?
Depending on how it is used, “hassle” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “hassle” a common word?
“Hassle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hassle” have?
“Hassle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a source of trouble, bother, or minor annoyance.
What is the difference between a hassle and a hardship?
A hassle is a source of trouble, bother, or minor annoyance, typically something small and irritating rather than seriously damaging. Hardship refers to severe difficulty or suffering, making it a much stronger word than the everyday inconvenience described by hassle.
What does it mean to hassle someone?
To hassle someone means to bother, pester, or pressure them, as in "stop hassling me about the deadline." This verb use focuses on repeated, low-level pressure rather than serious harm.
Is hassle a formal or informal word?
Hassle is an informal word commonly used in everyday speech to describe minor annoyances or to describe pestering someone. It would generally be avoided in formal writing in favor of terms like "inconvenience" or "difficulty."
