hassle
UK: ˈhæs.əl | US: ˈhæs.əl
n. a situation or task that is annoying or difficult
vt. to annoy or bother someone persistently
The word "hassle" likely originated in the mid-19th century as a dialectal variant of "haggle" or "harass," blending the sense of persistent annoyance (from "harass") with the back-and-forth tension of "haggle." The suffix "-le" is a frequentative or diminutive ending in English, often indicating repetitive or minor actions (e.g., "dazzle," "sparkle"). Over time, "hassle" evolved into a standalone term for petty conflicts or tedious tasks, reflecting its roots in friction and irritation.
Moving house is always such a hassle.
Stop hassling me about the deadline—I’m working on it!
The paperwork turned into a major hassle due to missing documents.
Tourists often hassle street vendors for lower prices.
She avoided the hassle of commuting by working remotely.