hassle
[has-uh l]Informal.
- a disorderly dispute.
- a problem brought about by pressures of time, money, inconvenience, etc.: Finding a decent place to have lunch in this neighborhood is always a hassle.
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- to dispute or quarrel: children hassling over who has the most toys.
- to take time or effort: We don't want to hassle with all that waiting in line.
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- to bother, annoy, or harass: I'll do the work, so don't hassle me.
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Origin of hassle
First recorded in 1935–40; origin uncertain
Synonyms
See more synonyms for hassle on Thesaurus.com1, 3. squabble, quarrel, row, scrap.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hassle
Contemporary Examples
For the Chinese government, it's another way to hassle the Arab and African communities that live and work in Guangzhou.
But shaving quickly became a hassle; the tedious measure of the day at work ahead.
Yes, there is some hassle involved in going to the store, purchasing bacon, taking it home, cooking it, and cleaning up afterward.
For people with high incomes, rising insurance rates are a hassle.
She's making a new calculation: if she is going to have all the hassle of being a royal, she might as well make a few quid too.
Historical Examples
That done, they walked to Hassle station, and took the first train to Hull.
The Pit Prop SyndicateFreeman Wills Crofts
A hassle started, and the editor called the Honolulu police.
The Unnecessary ManGordon Randall Garrett
"That's enough," Muller cut through the beginnings of the hassle.
Let'em Breathe SpaceLester del Rey
He'd obviously got himself into a hassle maintaining his place in line against two or three heftier would-be soldiers.
MercenaryDallas McCord Reynolds
Who told you that there was a hassle between this guy and Slack?
Warren Commission (10 of 26): Hearings Vol. X (of 15)The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
hassle
- a prolonged argument; wrangle
- a great deal of trouble; difficulty; nuisance
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- (intr) to quarrel or wrangle
- (tr) to cause annoyance or trouble to (someone); harass
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Word Origin
C20: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for hassle
n.
1945, American English, perhaps from U.S. Southern dialectal hassle "to pant, breathe noisily" (1928), of unknown origin; or perhaps from hatchel "to harass" (1800), which may be a variant of hazel, the name of the plant that furnished switches for whippings. Noted in 1946 as a show biz vogue word.
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v.
1951, from hassle (n.). Related: Hassled; hassling.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper